PSALM 51:8-14 - RULER SEEKS RESTORATION

PSALM 51:8-14

RULER SEEKS RESTORATION

Psalm 51:8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.

Susan: David was devastated at the glaring realization of his sin, that he had disappointed God with his disobedience.

Susie: God did not literally break any of David’s bones, but the weight of his guilt crushed David to the point that he felt physically incapacitated.

Susan: David asked the Lord to return him to a state of joyful worship and intimacy with God.

Psalm 51:9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.

Susan: David asked the Lord not to look at the things that separated him from God.

Susie: The new testament concept of justification comes to mind. He asked God to completely erase the sin. When Jesus died on the cross as the substitute for those who would believe and trust in Him, God completely washed away our sin. The definition I was taught is that “justified” means “just as if I’d never sinned.”

Susan: David asked God to forgive him in such a manner that it would never be recounted or remembered again.

Susie: God would not hold it against him anymore even though David would suffer consequences from his actions, such as the child conceived in the act of adultery died. As believers, we know that when we confess our sins in an attitude of true repentance, they are forgiven and we are completely clean.

1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Psalm 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

Susie: David knew that God had that power to make his heart right again, to cleanse him from his unrighteousness.

Susan: David asked God for a complete restoration, “Extreme Makeover, God Edition!”

Psalm 51:11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.

Susan: First, David asked that God not send him on a perpetual time out. He did not want God to sever their relationship.

Susie: David did not want God to send him away, nor did he want God to leave him alone. He asked that their intimate relationship be restored.

Susan: David considered God to be his BFF (Best Friend Forever). David could not imagine a life devoid of God for himself, a life devoid of meaning.

Susie: David had learned extremely deeply the truth that unconfessed sin separates us from God. He had confessed and now was asking that the separation cease.

Psalm 51:12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

Susie: We both liked the Voice Translation of verse 12:

Psalm 51:12 (VOICE) Give back to me the deep delight of being saved by You; let Your willing Spirit sustain me.

Susan: It was not David’s initiative or ability that saved him. It was God’s extravagant grace and willing Spirit.

Susie: Sin blocks our intimacy with God, and, therefore, robs us of our joy. David knew the key to returning to joy in his life was to be in right relationship with the Lord.

Susan: Unconfessed sin creates a barrier between us and the privilege and blessing of our relationship with God.

Psalm 51:13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.

Susie: David states that when he is fully restored, when his spirit is in right relationship with God’s Spirit once more, he will share his testimony. Others will come to understand and know God through his testimony and teaching.

Susan: David wants to be a walking billboard advertising God’s grace. He wants others to know that obedience is better than sacrifice.

Susie: His psalm also teaches that confession is better than the weight of guilt.

Psalm 51:14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.

Susan: David asks God specifically to expunge the guilt of the murder he committed.

Susie: David could have been stoned to death for either of his sins, but God saved him from that penalty. He promised to praise the Lord in song for all to hear, to be a testimony of God’s grace to all who would listen.  

QUESTIONS

1.               What made David feel like his bones had been broken?

2.               In Psalm 51:9, David asks God to blot out his iniquities. According to Philippians 3:9, whose righteousness covers the Christian when God looks upon him/her?

3.               Did David escape all the consequences of his sins of adultery and murder? What consequences did God impose? (See 2 Samuel 12:9-14).

4.               According to the Law, what penalty should David and Bathsheba have suffered?

5.               How does unconfessed sin affect a believer’s relationship with God?

6.               What did David promise to do when he was restored?

7.               Do you have a testimony of God’s grace in your own life? Briefly write it out and be prepared to share it.