The weekend Psalm for:
March 19, 2021
Read Psalm 51 from the World English Bible
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This is a Penitential Lament Psalm
The Big Idea
You're a mess. So am I. This Psalm points out a lot of our sins. In fact, it points out the fact that we are born in iniquity. My point here is not to make a point for original sin, but to make a point for sin.
All around us, we are surrounded by talk of "bad choices," and we are quick to excuse our own faults as anything but our own fault. The concept of evil is making a hasty retreat in our culture.It's not a far stretch to say that rather than causing guilt or shame, evil is often celebrated.
And then, there are Psalms like this. This is a lament Psalm, yes, but this time, David is lamenting his own selfishness, his own brokenness, his own sin -- and he invites us along for the ride. To face our own selfishness, brokenness, sin.
Think about that enough, and it could leave you hopeless -- there is nothing we can do to fix the mess we are in. There's nothing we can do to fix the mess we are.
The message is clear, throughout. Only God can save us. Think about that first verse for a moment. This is a broad paraphrase, but a faithful one: Have mercy on me not because I'm good, but because You Are. You have more than enough kindness to blot out every one of my sins.
Meditation
Look at the words used to cry out to God. Wash me. Purify me. Create is me a pure heart. Restore to me the joy of your salvation. Deliver me from guilt of bloodshed.
These are the cries -- the laments -- of someone who has reached the end of themself, and finds themself hopeless on their own. Even their religious activities are meaningless in light of their sin.
As a good friend of mine puts it, No Good News Without Bad News. In other words, no one can see the need for Jesus Christ to save them until they recognize the hold that sin has on them. A savior can be no use to anyone who thinks they have it all together.
And let me remind you, when David wrote this Psalm, he was the King. Even his kingness couldn't do him any good.
This week, pray that God will reveal yourself to you. Yes, God loves you, but until you face your sin head-on, there's no room for him to intervene in your life.
Once He does intervene, your only recourse is to Repent and Believe.
Praying With This Psalm
You can pray scripture prayers for yourself or for others.
- Father God, may ______ see their own sin. Open their eyes to the truth that they are hopeless without you.
- I pray, Father, that ________ will know your mercy, kindness, and grace, and that you have provided a way out of their sin.
- Almighty God, may ______ be convinced of their sin and hopelessness.
- Lord Jesus, may ______ know the your grace. Let them experience the power of your redemption.
- Father, may ______ know what it means to be purified, cleansed, and restored by your power.
Related Scriptures and Scripture Prayers
- Romans 1:29-32. You can't fix evil by calling it good
Lord, forgive us for the many times that we call evil good and even encourage it.Forgive us for tempting your judgement. - Hebrews 8:8-12. He will remember our sins no more.
Father God, I pray that ______ will know that Jesus Christ their hope for forgiveness. - 2 Corinthians 5:17-19. Christians are new people.
Lord Jesus, help ________ to understand that the hopeless, sin-filled, broken person is completely renewed in Jesus Christ. May they take part in that great ministry of reconciliation that shows the lost how they can be found, the broken how they can be made whole, the wounded how they can be healed. Lord, call _______ to repentance.
((C) 2009, 2021). L. J. Sam Helgerson, PhD
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