Have Mercy Upon Me

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