Clergy/Leaders’ Mail-list No. 1-041 Sunday 25 Feb 2001

Reading: PSALM 51 – CLEANSE ME, O GOD

(From ‘Encounter with God’ Bible Reading Notes)

Give thanks to God, because the sinner can turn from his wickedness and live.

It is important to remember the background of this famous psalm, as these are the words of a man who is deeply conscious of his sin. This is David after his adulterous affair with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband. (See 2 Sam 11) Small wonder that he was desperate for God to show his mercy (vs 1,2,7-9).

But he didn’t have to react this way: he could have resorted to self justification (‘soldiers do get killed’); or tried to transfer the blame (‘Bathsheba shouldn’t have flaunted herself’); he might have simply denied it. These ploys have been used since the time of Adam. The Sunday papers today will probably carry examples – you have done it yourself. So have I.

David’s great virtue is not that he is sinless, but that he wants to put things right. And then he expects to sing God’s praises (v 12) to the benefit of others (v 13) and the glory of God (v 19). But only then.

Some friends told me of how their son, aged eleven, stole some money and bought some toys. Sadly, he found he could only use them when his bedroom door was shut; he had to keep them in a secret place and he was in constant dread of being discovered. When he was finally and inevitably caught, his shame was surpassed only by his relief.

We all want to praise God openly, and see our neighbours respond to our witness. Perhaps we have some cleaning up to do first. The release of joy will be worth the discomfort and embarrassment of confession.

‘Lord, wash me according to your great compassion, and take pleasure in the clumsy offerings of this sinful heart.’

– Ken Edgecombe

Copyright Scripture Union, 2001