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Think of that one sin, or those few sins, that you don’t want anyone to know about, the sin that is ever before you and you would do anything to undo. We often wonder whether there’s forgiveness for having an abortion, committing adultery, engaging in homosexuality, or murdering someone. Thankfully, Psalm 51 answers that there is.
David, the king of Israel, was guilty of adultery and murder, which both deserved the death penalty according to the Mosaic law. Yet David pleads with God for mercy on the basis of His “steadfast love” and “abundant mercy” (Ps. 51:1). Notably, he is aware of three things: He is a sinner (v. 3), his sin is against God (v. 4), and he has been a sinner since conception (v. 5).
But as much as David is aware of his sin, he is even more cognizant of God’s mercy. The Lord can cleanse him from his sin (v. 2). The Lord can make him pure (v. 7). The Lord can cover his sins (v. 9). The Lord can create in him a new heart (v. 10). The Lord can keep him from falling away from Him (v. 11). And the Lord can restore to him the joy of His salvation (v. 12).
When Jesus came from heaven to earth, He fully revealed God’s “grace and truth” (John 1:14). The perfect Lamb of God came to take “away the sin of the world” (v. 29). We might be tempted to think that certain sins are unforgivable, but Jesus can make even the vilest heart clean (see 1 Cor. 6:9–11). It is important to recognize, however, how heinous our sin is before the holy God. Only then do we realize our need of a Savior and appreciate His redeeming grace. God sent His Son to blot out all our sins with His blood and create in us a clean heart. And God sent the Holy Spirit to give us peace and joy.
Importantly, David’s confession and God’s cleansing led to a life of witness. David could “teach transgressors” God’s ways because he had experienced God’s mercy (Ps. 51:13). David primarily did this by worshiping God with “a broken and contrite heart” (v. 17). In the wake of his own sin, David asked God to “do good” to His people, so that there would be no empty worship or blatant sin, but a people who lived for His glory (vv. 18–19).
Jesus gave Himself as the final and perfect sacrifice that God did not despise. He leads believers in praise to God. And He builds up the walls of His church, bringing a people from every tribe, tongue, and nation to worship God, work for His glory, and witness about His great name. Therefore, instead of hiding our sin and our shame, let us confess our sin, rest in God’s forgiveness, and teach others of God’s mercy, so that they, too, will humbly return to Him and lead others to do the same.