This weeks pairing of chapters interestingly are not consecutive, it’s the only time over the course of this year that we’ll be looking at more than one chapter not following the other. The reason I mention it at all is that at first glance the pairing doesn’t make a lot of sense, however we’ll quickly see why these chapters should be studied together.
A little review.
King/Giant slayer/shepherd boy, David as we’ve studied in previous weeks, plays such an important role in ushering our King of Kings/Sin and death slayer/Great Shepherd, Savior, Christ Jesus. Because of the significance of David’s life, I believe God has given us a deeper look into his story. So let’s rewind and tie these chapters together.
In 2 Samuel 11, we read about the sordid affair of David & Bathsheba. Her dad was a long-time valued companion, her grandpa was a trusted adviser, her husband also part of David’s elite 30 mighty men, she was not a stranger to David. A year after the “events” of Samuel 11 take place, the baby is born, and Nathan the prophet is sent by God to David in chapter 12 to confront him. David has had a whole year to think about his actions, but now that God has confronted him directly, he repents. vs 13 “I have sinned against the Lord.”
Psalm 51
“Have mercy on me, O God.” God is merciful.
“according to your unfailing love” God’s love never fails.
“according to your great compassion” God is compassionate.
“wash away my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.” We sin. God forgives.
And the chapter goes on in David’s confession. God was first and foremost the One who was wronged and David’s relationship with God was damaged. God doesn’t sin. He doesn’t wound us. But we sin. And we cause damage in our relationship with Him. We need to confess. God can only wait. But afterward, He shows mercy, love, compassion, and forgiveness.
Skipping to verse 13, this is David’s commitment to the Lord. PAUSE. Confession is disclosing our sin. Admitting it. To a God who already knows. Repentance is feeling remorse over the sin and is accompanied by a commitment to respond in a way that demonstrates change. At Grace we use the idea of turning around. You can picture walking in the direction of sin, and in repentance turning away from sin and walking in the opposite direction because we no longer are interested in the sin. Vs 13 is the commitment to something different. David says, “I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you.” So David not only aware of his sin. He’s admitted his sin. He’s sorry for his sin. And he’s going to commit to a change. He promises God, to use this event to help other people repent of their sin and experience the joy of forgiveness.
Psalm 32
Psalm 32 is the full circle completion of this part of David’s life. It’s a “maskil” Psalm, a “teaching” Psalm. It teaches the reader what it feels like to be forgiven (vs 1-2), contrasts what it feels like to be living under the weight of sin (vs 3-5), and points out the bridge to get from one place to the other. (vs 6-10).
Why does God allow us enough “rope” to get into trouble? He surely did for David. Why do bad things happen to good people? They surely did for the family’s that were devastated by this tragedy. Sometimes, He allows the fruit to come from our walking through the weight of sin, and the sorrow of the collateral damage that leads to a repentant heart, committed to love God and help people. We can help people by warning them like David has “not to be like the horse and mule” and walking through the valley with them with words of comfort and truth “[You] surround me with songs of deliverance”.
Psalm 51 and 32 really show for us the full cycle of sin, selfishness, conviction, confession, repentance, forgiveness, and restoration! It is not simple or easy. No one chooses the heartache but everyone who’s experienced the true joy of forgiveness is grateful.