Nepaug Bible Church - http://www.nepaugchurch.org - Pastor's Adult Sunday School Notes - http://www.nepaugchurch.org/bb/bb19961124.htm

PSALMS: DIARIES OF GODLY OLD TESTAMENT SAINTS
Psalm Fifty-One: Conquering The Sin Of Immorality
(Psalm 51:1-19)
  1. Introduction
    1. The Apostle Paul warns that immorality, unlike any other sin, is a sin against one's own body, cf. 1 Cor. 6:18. Although it is not the worst sin one can do, immorality will do more to ruin a marriage, a reputation and a credible Christian witness than just about any other sin.
    2. Besides, immorality is a powerful sin: 1 Corinthians 7:4 shows us that one's spouse has control over his sexual appetite, making both men and women mutually prey to abuse by those of the opposite gender.
    3. Psalm Fifty-one, David's repentance over his adultery with Bathsheba, reveals how one conquers immorality (1) either if he has sinned (2) or if he has not yet sinned, and would like to keep himself pure!
  2. Conquering The Sin Of Immorality, Psalm 51:1-19.
    1. David penned this psalm after he had committed immorality with Bathsheba, and had been convicted of sin by the prophet, Nathan, cf. intro. notes to the psalm with 2 Sam. 11-12, esp. 12:13.
    2. In the psalm, David gave a thorough analysis of his condition, taking appropriate steps to deal with it:
      1. David came to God based upon God's chesed, a word meaning "loyal love" and meaning grace, Ps. 51:1a (Harris, Archer and Waltke, eds., Theological Wordbook of the O.T., vol. I, p. 305-307).
      2. Approaching God as unworthy through God's grace, David candidly confessed his sin, 51:1b-9:
        1. He acknowledged his sin, the purest form of "confession" to which 1 John 1:9 refers, in Ps. 51:3a.
        2. David then noted that his adultery, though negatively affecting so many other people, was primarily against God and God's law, Ps. 51:4a. This cleared the way for a speedy resolution by God, 51:4b.
        3. David then noted his original sin as the fountainhead of his act of immorality, Ps. 51:5. Accordingly, he asked for a total cleansing as he felt wretchedly guilty, Ps. 51:6-9.
      3. The next request David made involved his great desire for renewal to assuage his terrible sense of guilt:
        1. David requested a new heart, a new inner man that would be different from his present, guilt-laden self that had committed his notorious sin, Ps. 51:10. (Note: David asked that the Holy Spirit not be taken from him, a reality possible in Old Testament times but not to the Christian today who is unconditionally, permanently sealed with the Spirit, cf. Ep. 4:30, Ry. St. Bib., KJV ftn. to Ps. 51:11).
        2. He asked for a restoration of his former joy of fellowship with God, Ps. 51:8,12,14-15.
        3. David noted that his restoration would be a teaching tool for the benefit of others, Ps. 51:13.
        4. David recognized that all the worship offerings he could do would not appease a holy God for his sin; rather, he came to God with a crushed spirit, knowing God would not reject it, Ps. 51:16-17.
      4. Of real import is David's allusion to building Jerusalem's walls, v. 18: it was David's ministry as king to fight Israel's enemies to build up Israel's protection (pictured in building up her "walls"). In failing to be doing this ministry, David had left himself open to being tempted to sin, 2 Sam. 11:1-4!
      5. In effect, David noted that were God to bless him in equipping him to get back to the ministry of strengthening Israel's protection by fighting as he was supposed to have been doing, God would then be pleased with his return to worship sacrifices, Ps. 51:18-19.
Lesson: (1) For those who HAVE sinned with immorality, (a) realize that God is a God of infinite GRACE so that He is PREPARED to forgive (Ps. 51:1a), and (b) that He will not turn away a candid heart that is crushed with guilt (51:16-17). (c) Then , FACE the matter as SIN (Ps. 51:3a), (d) noting that it is primarily sin against GOD (51:4a) and (e) candidly confess it (51:4b, 3a) for (f) total forgiveness, Ps. 51:5-9, 8,12,14-15. (g) Look to the Lord for a new heart to face the future's fallout , Ps. 51:10. (h) Seek to use the whole experience to teach others who may have sinned how to get it forgiven, or as a warning to others not to sin, Ps. 51:13. (i) Become occupied with doing the will of God to circumvent future temptations to immor ality, Ps. 51:18-19! (2) For those who have NOT YET committed immorality, (a) STAY OCCUPIED with God's will to circumvent many temptations that lead to this devastating sin, Ps. 51:18-19 with 2 Sam. 11:1-4! (3) If FACED with its temptation, FLEE, cf . 1 Cor. 6:18 with Gen. 39:11-12.