Psalm 51

October 18, 2018

The background of this psalm is that King David had gone into Bathsheba and had her husband killed. When the prophet Nathan came to David and told him of his sin, David instantly knew what he had done and this psalm is how he handled it.

The overall theme of this psalm is not only David admitting his sin and how he dealt with it, but is a surprising insight into the salvation method we learn about in the New Testament ! Remember several things here. First this was thousand years before Jesus, sins were NOT forgiven but were atoned for, salvation was not possible yet, the Holy Spirit did not come to all that were saved (because none could be saved), God did call for sacrifice of animals to atone for sin, atonement was achieved through works not by a broken and contrite heart !!!

In the 2nd verse David says, " cleanse me from my sin." How did he know to ask for that under the law ? Verse 6, " Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts". How did he know to ask that if atonement was gained through sacrifice of animals ?  Verse 10, " Create in me a clean heart". Again, how did he know to ask for this ?  Verse 11, " And do not take your Holy Spirit from me". If Jesus has not come yet the Holy Spirit only was used as needed, how did David know that the Holy Spirit was with him or even who the Holy Spirit was ?  Verse 12, " Restore to me the joy of your salvation". Since Jesus had not come yet salvation was not a possibility... yet here we see David asking for salvation ! Verse 16, " For You do not desire burnt offerings ...". Yet that is exactly what the law says God wants and David knows it is not !

This psalm is a outward and visible sign of a spiritual truth that is not known until Jesus comes in the New Testament ! Throughout this psalm God is showing us, through David and this psalm, what He truly desires of His people when it comes to forgiveness and salvation. This beautiful psalm has two levels. The first is the reaction David has to his sin and his desire for forgiveness and salvation. The second is a spiritual guide for how to obtain forgiveness and salvation from the One who can give these things. Although not yet available because Jesus has not come yet, God is still telling His people His desire for them.