Seeking Forgiveness

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

SELECTED SCRIPTURE: Psalm 51:10-19

THE FIFTY-FIRST PSALM was written by David after the Prophet Nathan revealed to him his terrible sin. David had such a strong desire for Bathsheba to be his wife that he arranged circumstances to make possible her husband’s death in battle. David was guilty of covetousness, adultery, and murder, in rapid succession, but he was blinded completely to these sins because of his fleshly wishes.

God sent Nathan to reveal these crimes to him by relating to David a story of a rich man who defrauded a poor man. It so incensed David that he declared that the rich man should be put to death. It was then that Nathan said, “Thou art the man.” (II Sam. 12:1-13) David saw for the first time the enormity of his crime. His acknowledgment of his sin, and his plea to God for mercy and forgiveness are expressed in this psalm.

The high standards that Jesus presented to his disciples of being guilty of adultery if one merely looked upon a woman to lust after her (Matt. 5:27,28); or of being guilty of killing if one merely was angry with his brother (vss. 21,22), could make all of us guilty of the same crimes committed by David. As the Apostle Paul reminds us, “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” (Rom. 3:23) Again he says: “There is none righteous, no, not one.” (vs. 10) Although David spoke of himself as being “shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me” (Ps. 51:5), he was speaking of all mankind, because all are Adam’s progeny.

The sentiments of this 51st Psalm belong to all who recognize that they are capable of committing sin, and want to seek forgiveness. Jesus taught us to pray, “Forgive us our debts” (Matt. 6:12), reminding us to seek God’s forgiveness for our sins daily. How wonderful that such forgiveness has been made possible through the merit of Christ’s blood being shed for our sins. And as we pray, we are purged with hyssop and are made clean. We are washed and are made whiter than snow. (Ps. 51:7) This comes as an answer to our prayer expressed in the words of our Key Verse.

Our Heavenly Father is truly a merciful God. David recognized this as he said, “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.”—vss. 16,17

The Law of Moses required animal sacrifices, meant to be types of humble hearts that seek his forgiveness when sin is committed. These please God more than such sacrifices.

All the world of mankind will learn of this mercy in his wonderful kingdom. All will be expected to develop this mercy toward others. Jesus said, “As ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise.

“If ye love them which love you, what thank have ye? for sinners also love those that love them.

“And if ye do good to them which do good to you, what thank have ye? for sinners also do even the same.…

“But love ye your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and ye shall be the children of the Highest: for he is kind unto the unthankful and to the evil. Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.”—Luke 6:31-36.

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