Psalm 51:1-12. 1Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. 2Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! 3For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. 4Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. 6Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart. 7Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice. 9Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. 10Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. 11Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. 12Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.
This is not only one of the most beautifully written psalms, it is also one of the most theologically rich psalms. Some of the greatest declarations about the nature of God are expressed in these verses. But the most glorious thing about it is the way it points our hearts to our cleansing in Christ. Jesus is the answer to David’s Psalm 51 prayer. So let’s take a fresh look at this psalm in light of our union with Christ.
according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions – In Christ, every transgression has been canceled (Col. 2:14), forgiven (Eph. 1:7), and blotted out of our record.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin – In Christ, the washing of regeneration (Titus 3:5) by his cleansing blood (1 John 1:7) has purified his bride (Eph. 5:26).
Let me hear joy and gladness – In Christ, we now rejoice in the Lord always (Phil. 4:4), with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory (1 Peter 1:8), because our names are written in heaven (Luke 10:20) where God is rejoicing over us (Zeph. 3:17).
Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities – In Christ, our sins are remembered no more (Heb. 8:12), they have been thrown into the sea (Micah 7:19), and they can never condemn us again (Rom. 8:1).
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me – In Christ, we have received a new heart of flesh (Ez. 36:25-27). By the Spirit, God’s law is written on our hearts (Heb. 8:10).
Cast me not away from your presence – In Christ, the power of his indwelling life means nothing can separate us from God’s love (Rom. 8:38-39), he will never leave or forsake us (Heb. 13:5).
and take not your Holy Spirit from me – In Christ, we are sealed with the promised Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:13-14) until the day of redemption (Eph. 4:30).
Christian, the work of your salvation has been fully accomplished. There is nothing left for God to do. There is no cleansing, purifying, blotting, creating, renewing, regenerating, restoring, or reconciling left undone. There is no more of Christ for you to gain. You have all of his holiness. All of his righteousness. All of his purity. All of his love.
So read Psalm 51 and cry out, thank you, Heavenly Father for your abundant mercy in Christ that has restored to me the joy of my salvation, and upheld me with a willing spirit. Thank you for creating in me a forever clean heart. Thank you for eternal life. Thank you for to live is Christ.
You: What do your prayers of confession sound like? Are they desperate cries for God to do what he has already done, or are they faith in what Christ has already accomplished?
You in Christ: Do you believe that in Christ you are fully forgiven and free from condemnation? How would your life be different if you really believed this?
Christ in you: How does knowing that the Christ in you is pure and holy empower you to live pure and holy today?
To Live is Christ 