PSALM 51:15-19 - CONTRITE KING

PSALM 51:15-19

CONTRITE KING

Psalm 51:15 O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.

Susan: David asked to be the Lord’s instrument, His megaphone. Rather than doing it in self-effort, David implored the Lord to “open his lips.”

Susie: The Lord strengthened David not only to sing God’s praise during his own life, but also infused Him with the Holy Spirit to write many of the psalms to be used for generations to come, including the one we are studying.

Psalm 51:16-17 For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

Susan: Heartfelt gratitude and repentance are the paramount prerequisites to true sacrifice.

Susie: David knew that just killing a bull and offering it on the altar would not please God. He had to have a “contrite” and “broken” heart before God.

Susan: Let’s take a closer look at the word “contrite.”

Webster’s 1828 American Dictionary of the English Language

CONTRITE, adjective [Latin , to break or bruise; to rub or wear. See Trite.] Literally, worn or bruised. Hence, broken-hearted for sin; deeply affected with grief and sorrow for having offended God; humble; penitent; as a contrite sinner.

Susan: David was deeply troubled by the fact that he had offended God. He was heart-sick over his sin. He needed to be right with God in order to rule Israel righteously.

Psalm 51:18 Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.

Susan: The blessings of the king are attached to the blessings of the people.

Susie: Now that David has spent time getting back into right relationship with God, he is able to ask God to strengthen his capital city, Jerusalem.

Psalm 51:19 Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.

Susan: The restoration of their king would spark revival among the Israelites. As David sang and taught of his forgiveness and renewed intimacy with God, the people’s own relationship with the Lord would be strengthened.

Susie: The people would then come before God offering their sacrifices with the right attitude, that of humble repentance and brokenness over sin.

QUESTIONS

1.               What does God desire more than sacrifice?

2.               Do you feel that people in general are “contrite” over their sin? What about Christians? What about you?

3.               Why did David’s sin affect the nation of Israel?

4.               Do the sins of our political leaders affect our nation?

5.               How should we pray for those in authority?