Select Page

Psalm 51:5-9

Verses 5-9

5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,and in sin did my mother conceive me.

The truth of our utter, complete, and total depravity is shown throughout the Scriptures. I would take some time to blog about it, but it’s been written so well by so many other fine folks that for me to do so would be superfluous. Maybe another day, when I’m feeling gratuitously bored. This is only one instance to which man’s being born dead in sin is alluded. David had been taught the story of Eden and man’s fall. He knew the truth of man’s condition, as was epitomized in the state of man right before the great flood. Thus, he recognized the great depth in sin to which he’d sunken, acknowledging he was a prodigy of Adam. But he doesn’t end there.

6 Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being,and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.

A recognition of God’s absolute divine right to define, elaborate upon, declare, and impart truth to sinful man. He says, “You teach me” Not only did David recognize his depravity, but he affirmed and acknowledged God’s sovereignty in the impartation of saving faith! It wasn’t that David was seeking after this wisdom of his own doing. It wasn’t that David thought he was somehow able to attain this knowledge in and of himself. He prays back to God, God’s thoughts YOU TEACH ME.

7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Yes, he remembered Adam’s plunging of mankind into spiritual death. Yes, he realized his utter and complete ineptitude before Holy God. But as previously noted, he doesn’t stop at the acknowledgement of “bad” news. Rather, in light of the bad news, he by faith proclaims the good news! “Father God, if YOU purge me, I will be clean. I will be whiter than snow, if it is of Your doing. For You, O GOD, are able to cleanse to the uttermost!” The story of the Fall was sad indeed, but the glory of the promise given (Gen 3:15) was much greater than the horror of the Fall! David expressed great faith in God’s Redemptive ability ACCORDING TO HIS PROMISE! Abraham believed and it was credited unto him as righteousness! Amen!

8 Let me hear joy and gladness;let the bones that you have broken rejoice. 9 Hide your face from my sins,and blot out all my iniquities.

His absolute throwing out of all other means as being able to console him is a testament to the fact that David knew ONLY God could bring the relief and comfort he needed. Only God could make wrongs (in an eschatological sense, as opposed to an immediate sense) right! Sins forgiven! Iniquities cleansed! He acknowledges (v.8) that his pain is due to God’s judgment of his sin. He realized that “those whom God loves, he chastens.” Oh, the vast riches of good theology Christ’s church can learn from the Book of Psalms! Blessed be the Name of the Lord!

 

[Reformers, Puritans, and a Geek]