A Sermon on Psalm 51
Nearly a year ago, my wife and I moved 1,200 miles from Willis, Texas, to Fort Myers, Florida, so that we could attend Living Faith Church. We longed to be in a church where we would hear the gospel every week and receive the care we needed and craved. The sweet, small community of Living Faith has become our family. Under the leadership of my dear friend Pastor Pat Thurmer, Living Faith has welcomed us, loved us, encouraged us, and protected us. While there may be many things “off” about the state of the church worldwide, Living Faith stands out as a remarkable exception, and we couldn’t be more grateful to be members of this church.
On Sunday, June 10th, Pat gave me the privilege of preaching at Living Faith. I chose Psalm 51 as my text—that famous Psalm of confession from David after his adulterous relationship with Bathsheba and the subsequent murder of her husband, Uriah. While this Psalm has always been my favorite Psalm, it means more to me these days than ever.
I hope this sermon greatly encourages you…
Psalm 51:1–19
Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy
blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
and cleanse me from my sin!
For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is ever before me.
Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you may be justified in your words
and blameless in your judgment.
Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
and in sin did my mother conceive me.
Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being,
and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones that you have broken rejoice.
Hide your face from my sins,
and blot out all my iniquities.
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from your presence,
and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and uphold me with a willing spirit.
Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
and sinners will return to you.
Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God,
O God of my salvation,
and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.
O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth will declare your praise.
For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it;
you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
Do good to Zion in your good pleasure;
build up the walls of Jerusalem;
then will you delight in right sacrifices,
in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings;
then bulls will be offered on your altar.
