Have Mercy Upon Me
Minister: | Rev. Ronald Van Overloop |
Date: | 2/12/2017 AM |
Text: | Psalm 51:1 |
Psalters: | 172, 82, 140, 373 |
Sacrament of the Lord's Supper |
- The admission.
- A part of David’s humble confession is the absence of any identification of himself (e.g. as God’s servant, etc.).
- Note that He uses the simplest name for “God,” again not assuming any relationship.
- David identifies his sins as “transgressions.”
- “Transgressions” are acts of rebellion, i.e., conscious refusal to submit oneself to a rightful authority.
- Though he is a king, David sees himself under The Sovereign and is answerable to Him.
- David’s plea.
- He begins by immediately begging for divine mercy – even before he speaks of his sin.
- The Hebrew word emphasizes grace, to show favor or pity, but is frequently translated “mercy” (Ps. 4:1; 6:2; 9:13, etc.).
- Grace/mercy is always given to those without cause, without any deservedness.
- “Blot out,” i.e., wipe out or away, exterminate, strike out.
- Legally, this admits his sin to make him guilty, worthy of the charges brought against him.
- Experientially, David asks that God wipe clean a dish, so no trace remains afterwards.
- He begins by immediately begging for divine mercy – even before he speaks of his sin.
- David’s plea for mercy and forgiveness is based on God, because there is nothing in David except every reason to reject him.
- First, it is based on God’s “lovingkindness.”
- Second, it is based on “the multitude of Thy tender mercies” is “Thy many merciful compassions, tender love.”
- It is encouraging to know that there is still the reality of grace, mercy, and compassion.
- Come to the Table of the Lord with trust and confidence in God, in Who and what He is, and what belongs to Him!