Psalm 51 — David Confronted by Nathan
Introduction: Jehovah sent Nathan to David so he would face the truth of what he had done with Bathsheba and the way it led him to plan the death of her husband. Because of this sin before Jehovah, David would face consequences for many years with the first being the death of the baby from Bathsheba. Jehovah forgave David for the sin that had been revealed, and David prayed fervently for the newborn baby to be spared, but he stopped mourning and worshipped Jehovah when the baby died. Those details are not specified in the psalm, which may make it easier for some to apply the content to their own situation and their need for mercy and forgiveness. However, by knowing the background some elements may be better appreciated.
NOTE: Bible passages are taken from the 1901 American Standard Version.
A — Some Key Text from 2 Samuel
2 Samuel 12 “1 And Jehovah sent Nathan unto David. And he came unto him, and said unto him, There were two men in one city; the one rich, and the other poor… 5 And David’s anger was greatly kindled against the man; and he said to Nathan, As Jehovah liveth, the man that hath done this is worthy to die. 7 And Nathan said to David, Thou art the man. Thus saith Jehovah, the God of Israel, I anointed thee king over Israel, and I delivered thee out of the hand of Saul… 9 Wherefore hast thou despised the word of Jehovah, to do that which is evil in his sight? thou hast smitten Uriah the Hittite with the sword, and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him with the sword of the children of Ammon. 13 And David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against Jehovah. And Nathan said unto David, Jehovah also hath put away thy sin; thou shalt not die. 14 Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of Jehovah to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die.”
2 Samuel 12 “20 Then David arose from the earth, and washed, and anointed himself, and changed his apparel; and he came into the house of Jehovah, and worshipped. 22 And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept: for I said, Who knoweth whether Jehovah will not be gracious to me, that the child may live? 23 But now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me. 24 And David comforted Bath-sheba his wife, and went in unto her, and lay with her: and she bare a son, and he called his name Solomon. And Jehovah loved him.”
Comments: The beginning of this episode in David’s life is recorded in 2 Samuel chapter 11. David and Bathsheba conceived a child together while her husband was on the battlefield for Israel. When David learned of the pregnancy he tried to arrange it so it would appear that the child was from Bathsheba’s husband. When that failed, David sent a message to his commander Joab to assign Uriah to a position in battle that would result in his death. David then took Bathsheba as his wife and did not at that time seek any forgiveness from God for these things he had done. Nathan then delivered the message from Jehovah reminding David how much Jehovah had done for him from the time he was anointed to be king. David confessed that he had sinned against Jehovah, and Nathan said Jehovah had put away the sin so David would not die. The child that was born would surely die because by this conception David had given great occasion to the enemies of Jehovah to blaspheme. After the baby died David made himself presentable, went to the tabernacle to offer worship to Jehovah, and comforted Bathsheba. Jehovah later blessed the couple with four sons, the first being Solomon.
B — David Asked for Mercy and Cleansing Through the Lovingkindness of God
Psalm 51 “1 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: According to the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. 2 Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I know my transgressions; And my sin is ever before me. 4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, And done that which is evil in thy sight; That thou mayest be justified when thou speakest, And be clear when thou judgest.”
Comments: David immediately began to ask for mercy through the lovingkindness of God, and to have his violation of God’s law cleared from his record. He asked to have his grossly immoral act washed away and to be cleansed from his sin. Like Joseph who had refused immorality, when David confessed violation of God’s standards, sin against another person was first an offense to a Holy God. Genesis 39:9 “How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?” David accepted the consequences to come, as God had spoken through Nathan, as fully justified judgment.
C — Born Already a Sinner
Psalm 51 “5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity; And in sin did my mother conceive me. 6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts; And in the hidden part thou wilt make me to know wisdom. 7 Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8 Make me to hear joy and gladness, That the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.”
Comments: Whatever may have been credited as virtuous in David’s life up to this point could not cancel the sin that was inherent in his nature, and sin can only be cleansed by the mercy of God. Genesis 8:21 “I will not again curse the ground any more for man’s sake, for that the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth.” David understood that God desires that truth penetrate to our inner being and not be just on the surface when convenient. When David spoke of purification with hyssop it was a way of asking God for his cleansing that was superior to the Levitical priests using hyssop to sprinkle with the cleansing blood of a sacrifice — a wonderful picture of the way that Christ has now provided the cleansing sacrifice of his own blood for those who ask forgiveness of sin by faith.
D — Create in Me a Clean Heart
Psalm 51 “9 Hide thy face from my sins, And blot out all mine iniquities. 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; And renew a right spirit within me. 11 Cast me not away from thy presence; And take not thy holy Spirit from me. 12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; And uphold me with a willing spirit. 13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; And sinners shall be converted unto thee.”
Comments: David knew that in mercy, God could look away from the sin he had committed, and even through forgiveness remove it from the record as though it had not been done. Isaiah 43:25 “I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake; and I will not remember thy sins.” David knew he had to place his dependence upon God to create in him a clean heart. The experience with Bathsheba, and then what had followed with Uriah as he tried to hide his sin, surely had made it very evident to him that he could not resist every temptation without the help of God. David became very concerned that he not lose the relationship he had with Jehovah and wanted reassurance that the holy Spirit would not depart from him. This would enable David to teach others about the ways of God so they could turn from their sin and be converted by faith to become followers of God.
E — A Broken Spirit and a Contrite Heart Are Acceptable Sacrifices
Psalm 51 “14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation; And my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. 15 O Lord, open thou my lips; And my mouth shall show forth thy praise. 16 For thou delightest not in sacrifice; else would I give it: Thou hast no pleasure in burnt-offering. 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: A broken and contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.”
Comments: When David asked to be set free from the guilt he had when Uriah and others were killed because of his instructions to Joab, he knew that God alone could give him salvation from such heinous sin. God wants the believer, from the heart, to come before him in complete humility with sincere repentance. 1 Samuel 15 “22 Hath Jehovah as great delight in burnt-offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of Jehovah? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. 23 For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as idolatry and teraphim. Because thou hast rejected the word of Jehovah, he hath also rejected thee from being king.”
F — David Prayed for the Good of Zion
Psalm 51 “18 Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: Build thou the walls of Jerusalem. 19 Then wilt thou delight in the sacrifices of righteousness, In burnt-offering and in whole burnt-offering: Then will they offer bullocks upon thine altar.”
Comments: David had a heart for Jerusalem because Jehovah had established it as a resting place for the tabernacle and as a center to glorify the name of the Lord. When he requested that Jehovah build the walls in his good pleasure he likely also had in mind that God would establish a place of strength defined by the inhabitants being true worshipers of the living God. Then the sacrifices offered on the altar would be fully acceptable in the sight of Jehovah. David had made his commitment afresh to be the proper kind of witness to draw others to the Lord.
Reflections in Prayer
Lord, I thank you for the way you have taken away my sin in those times when I have confessed to you and fallen upon your mercy and lovingkindness. You have then cleansed me from sin that I have committed against your holiness, and I accept your righteous judgment for what is evil in your sight. I know, Lord, that I have the sin nature as a descendent of Adam, and this is part of the truth that you desire that I accept in my heart from the wisdom of your word. I look to you for the power of the blood that was offered to cleanse me of all my sin. Whenever I think about this it brings me great joy for your grace and mercy. Lord, I know that I need you every day to create in me a clean heart and that you will not take your Spirit from me, but empower me to surrender my will to you if I resist not. Remind me that I should be a witness for you to bring others to see their need to become part of your kingdom. Lord I want to be humble before you and remember that no service or offering can be substituted for a broken and contrite heart as we are always in your presence. I pray, Lord, that your kingdom come, and your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Amen and amen.
Published 30 May 2015