PSALM 52 - PUNISHMENT FOR THE PROUD - MERCY FOR THE DESERVING

INTRODUCTION - Read Psalm 52, 1 Samuel 22:9-23

In the last few weeks, as the school year has come to an end, I have been feeling a little guilty as I don't think I have done the best for my students.  It is mixed with the grief, having learnt that my 'boss' is also unhappy with my performance, and my services as `tutor' are no longer required. People have told me that my `guilt' and `grief' are unwarranted.  For whether or not I am responsible for the `failures' of others - a teacher always believes they can do more!!

When David wrote this psalm, I believe he was having similar feelings of `guilt' and `grief', as he expressed to Abiathar, after the deaths of his family by the hand of Doeg.

"I am responsible for your father's family."1 Samuel 22:22

He was angry with Doeg and venting his grief, he convicted and accused him of many crimes. He then passed sentence on him, which in a way, may have been something he felt he too deserved.

But finally, David  realised that he knew a merciful God, one who comforted him in his sorrow and would lift all his burdens of guilt. This would come with the assurance of praise!!

The devil wants us to wallow in guilt and grief, because then we cannot accomplish the will of the Father. But God is greater, and His grace and mercy are overwhelming. So let us, with David, SING HIS PRAISES!

"My dear children, you belong to God and have defeated them; because God's Spirit who is in you, is greater than the devil, who is in the world." 1 John 4:4 (NIV)

HISTORY - Matthew 12:3&4; 1 Samuel 21:1-9; 1 Samuel 22:9-23

Saul was trying to kill David. David and his men had run away, and they took refuge in the House of God in Nob. David asked Ahimilech, the priest, for food and he gave them the special bread that only the priests could eat. David also asked Ahimilech for Goliath's sword that was in the house of Nob.

Doeg was a man from the country of Edom. He was an important man that had worked as one of the head shepherds on Saul's farm and became very rich and powerful. But he was a very cruel man and would say things that hurt many people.

Doeg had seen what had conspired between Ahimilech and David, though we don't know how this happened.  He told Saul about it, and when Saul inferred that Ahimilech was plotting with David to kill Saul - of which Doeg did not deny - he told his soldiers to kill Ahimilech.  The soldiers refused, so Doeg took it upon himself to do it, killing not only Ahimilech, but all the 85 priests, their wives and their children. Abiathar, Ahimilech's son was the only one who survived and he went and joined David and his men.

Saul's fear and resentment of David caused him to stray farther from God, committing rash crimes. He totally disregarded God's plans. Sometimes our anger and fear causes us to act rashly and these acts can cause strain on our relationships, and separate us from our Father. We need to trust God with our fears, and we will respond in love and mercy rather than anger.

"Where God's love is there is no fear, because God's perfect love drives out fear." 1 John 4:18 (CEV)

THE TONGUE IS A SHARP RAZOR - Read Psalm 52:1-4

A tongue is like a `sharp razor'. There are many verses in the Bible that talk about the damage the tongue can do. Sometimes we can hurt others feelings if we are not careful with our words, but sometimes, like Doeg, words can plot evil.

Most of the arguments my husband and I have are about `words' usually said in jest - often not even realizing they are said - but the tongue can definitely cut like a `sharp razor' at times and can HURT!

Sometimes, like in the case of  Doeg of Saul, sometimes words not said can lead to just as much evil. In this psalm, David was speaking against people like Doeg, who whether they spoke, or kept quiet, they might hurt people.

Lord, I pray that I will no longer be a disgrace in your sight; that my words will not be harmful, but helpful.

"Pleasant words are like honeycomb, making people happy and healthy." PROVERBS 16:24 (CEV)

TRUSTING IN WEALTH - Read Psalm 52:5-7

According to Rabbinical literature, God sent the `three angels of destruction' to Doeg. The first caused him to forget his learning, the second burned his soul and the third scattered his ashes.
Others maintain that it was Doeg who had reported to David the deaths of Saul and Jonathon (2 Samuel 1:2), and it was David who killed him. Whatever happened, we know that Doeg was a powerful man and had lots of money; but the main reason for his eternal punishment was the evil he had done.

Sometimes I wonder that we have put too much trust in wordly things and not in God, and we are only getting what we deserve.

"No one can serve two masters. The person will hate one master and love the other, or will follow one master and refuse to follow the other. You cannot serve both God and money." Matthew 6:24

TRUST IN GOD'S UNFAILING LOVE - Psalm 52:8&9

David was in a time of great distress, but he finishes with a "song of triumph". David made God his strength. He did not trust in the abundance of riches but in the mercy of God. David lived a life of thankfulness with "holy joy in god" and he lived a life of expectation - "humble dependendence on God".

"There is nothing better to calm and quiet our spirits when they are ruffled and disturbed than to hope and wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord." Matthew Henry.

"It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord." Lamentations 3:26 (NIV)

"You must return to your God; love Him, do what is just, and always trust Him as your God."
                                                                                                     Hosea 12:6(CEV)

David wrote this psalm because he wanted everyone to know that he was and always would be a follower of God. It is in God's mercy and unfailing love he trusted. This has and always will be true for me!

"But I am like an olive tree, thriving in the house of God. I will always trust in God's unfailing love." Psalm 52:8 (NLT)

Holy Bible: New International Version (2011), Biblica, Inc. 
                   New Living Translation (2007) Tyndale House
      
Devotional Bible: New Century Version (2003) Max Lucado, Thomas Nelson.

www.easyenglish.info (2001), "Cruel Words", Gordon Churchyard
Blue Letter Bible - Matthew Henry: Commentary on Psalms 52
Jewish Encyclopedia (1901-1906) "Doeg", Morris Jastrow Jnr, Charles A Mendelssohn, Louis Ginsberg, George A Barton, Funk & Wagnall Co.

PSALM 51 - Our Merciful God

INTRODUCTION - Read Psalm 51

Ah, I have made it to Psalm 51! Next to Psalm 23, `The Shepherd's Psalm', this one is probably the most well known of David's psalms; because in his life as a soldier and king, David not only needed a `Shepherd', but there were many times he needed he compassionate, merciful God.

"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." Psalm 34:18 (NIV)

"The Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in love." Psalm 103:8 (NIV)

Psalm 51 follows David's fall into adultery with Bathsheba, which unfortunately for David is the story people remember most. Oh children will tell you how he defeated the giant Goliath, but as we get older we tend to dwell on how he let sin defeat him. We forget that he was once a successful commander in Saul's army, that he had been chosen by God and was one of Israel's greatest kings. We forget that for most of his life he was actually a `man after God's own heart, a man of great faith'.

"The Lord gave David victory everywhere he went. David was king over all Israel, and he did what was fair and right for his people." 2 Samuel 8:14&15 (CEV)

What we seem to remember most of David, the broken man, was his mistakes. David, a leader who lost the respect of his people, who lost touch with his family, and for a time his closeness with His Heavenly Father.

I guess this is why I have put off this study of Psalm 51 -  I hate to think this broken man may be JUST LIKE ME. But I am glad that I haven't put it off any longer, for I have made a discovery: Psalm 51 is actually a psalm of GRACE AND MERCY!

"God be merciful to me because you are loving. Because you are always ready to be merciful, wipe out all my wrongs. Wash away all my wrongs and make me clean again." Psalm 51:1&2 (CEV)

God doesn't keep score of our sins. He wants to FORGIVE US; and in fact, as the old children's song, `NO FISHING' tells us, he wants to throw our sins `in the deepest sea'. 

The problem, as it was with David, is, we have to have to face the consequences of our sins. But, as David reminds us, no matter how weighed down and guilty we feel because of our mistakes and failures, no matter how difficult our struggle with the consequences; God's mercy assures us that if we have a heart of humility and repentance, our `heart will be purified and cleansed', we will receive again the `joy of salvation' and we will never be alone, with the 'Holy Spirit' within us.

"This psalm is both a passionate plea for purity and a prayer in which David is crying out to God to be restored into the joy of a right relationship." MAX LUCADO

HISTORY - Read 1 Samuel 12:1-24

If you don't know the story of David and Bathsheba, you can find it in 2 Samuel 11. We take up the story 12 months later, when Nathan the prophet had a calling from God to go to David and confront him with his sinful ways.

Nathan told David a parable; and because of his obedience to God's calling.  David realised his sin, repented and turned back to God.

But David still had to face the consequences of his sins, He could have spared both Bathsheba and himself a lot of grief and sorrow if he had taken his `feelngs' to God first. Instead, he acted on them, and then tried to cover up his immoral act, which ultimately led in the 'murder' of Uriah, Bathsheba's husband.

Nathan now has to tell him that because of both these sins, David and Bathsheba would lose their son. David refused to give up, and with a humble and contrite heart, he fasted and prayed for his son.

"Then Nathan went home. And the Lord caused the son of David and Bathsheba, Uriah's widow, to be very sick. David prayed to God for the baby. David refused to eat or drink. He went into his house and stayed there, lying on the ground all night." 2 Samuel 12:15

Their son did die, and although they grieved, they accepted that his death was God's will. Guarding against bitterness, David got up and went to the temple to worship God. This was difficult for Davd's servants to understand, `but as a man after God's own heart', it showed real maturity in faith,

"On the seventh day the baby died, and David's servants were afraid to tell him that the baby was dead.......Then David got up from the floor, washed himself, put lotions on and changed his clothes. Then he went into the Lord's house to worship." 2 Samuel 12:18&20

Finally David and Bathsheba were able to move on with their life. After weeping together, gaining comfort in the Lord and resting in the truth of His word - again given to them by Nathan. They went on living, with their guilty conscience cleansed and their faith renewed.

"Remember, God does not want you to live in guilt and defeat. Embrace Christ for healing and hope. Trust Christ for tomorrow. In faith, begin to heal your wounds today." MAX LUCADO


CONFESSION & FORGIVENESS - Read Psalm 51

Many Christians, like David, let their sins, mistakes and failures weigh them down. Sometimes they feel that they no longer deserve to be friends with God. Psalm 51 reminds us that no matter how great these may be, GOD'S LOVE AND MERCY ARE GREATER.

We all do things we know are against God's will. We all need to take time to see God's forgiveness, through confession and repentance. David asked the Lord to not only forgive him, but to "wash away his guilt and make him pure and clean."

"Wash away my guilt and make me clean." Psalm 51:2 (CEV)

"Turn your face from my sins and wipe out all my guilt. Create in me a pure heart and make my spirit right again." Psalm 51:9&10 (CEV)

When we are forgiven and cleansed we are `white as snow'. Did you know that each snowflake is unique, just like you? So you too can be clean and pure, like freshly fallen snow.

"Take away my sin and I will be clean. Wash me and I will be whiter than snow." Psalm 51:7 (CEV)

When held accountable for his actions by Nathan, David asked God to purify his heart and make his spirit right again. Ultimately he was pleading for restoration and renewal in his relationship with his Heavenly Father.

"Create in me a pure spirit, God, and make a right spirit within me. Do not send me away from you, or take your Holy Spirit from me. Give me back the joy of your salvation. Keep me strong by giving me a willing spirit." Psalm 51:10-12 (CEV)

Finally, how did David feel when he was forgiven? After years of carrying his burden of sin, feeling like `his bones are crushed', David could hear the sounds of 'joy and gladness' and could be 'happy again'. It may not happen overnight, but you can be sure that when you hand all those things weighing you down over to God, God's love and mercy will overwhelm you with JOY AND GLADNESS and you will be truly HAPPY AGAIN.

"Make me hear sounds of joy and gladness; make the bones you crushed be happy again."
                                                                                                                 Psalm 51:7


OTHER GREAT PRAYERS OF CONFESSION - Read Ezra 9&10; Read Isaiah 6

David is only one of many great Bible heroes who learnt to pray a prayer of confession. Ezra was a teacher during one of Israel's most significant times in their spiritual restoration. He was the second of three leaders during the re-building of Jerusalem. Zerrubabel reconstructed the temple, Nehemiah built the walls and Ezra restored the worship.

But when he had heard that "his people" were turning away from God, worshipping other idols; and they had been unfaithful, mingling with unholy races, Ezra was appalled. He was especially disgusted when he heard that the priests and Levites were `leading the way in this unfaithfulness'.

Ezra fell to his knees and prayed:

"O my God, I am too ashamed and disgraced to lift up my face to you, because our sins are higher than our heads and our guilt has reached to the heavens. From the days of our forefathers until now our guilt has been great. Because of our sins, we our kings and our priests have been subjected to the sword and to captivity, to pillage and humiliation at the hands of foreign kings, as it is today. But now, for a brief moment, the Lord our God has been gracious in leaving us a remnant and giving us a firm place in His sanctuary and so our God gives light to our eyes and a little relief in our bondage."  Ezra 9:6-8

When the people saw Ezra praying, they too gathered around him, weeping, confessing and `throwing themselves down' before the Lord. They renewed their covenant with God, and encouraging Ezra they made a confession and committed to following God's will.

"Rise up; this matter is in your hands. We will support you; so take courage and do it." Ezra 10:4

"Now make confession to the Lord, the God of your fathers and do His will." Ezra 10:11

                        ____________________________________________________

Isaiah had a vision of the glory of the Lord. It produced a deep brokenness of confession. He didn't try to impress God with piety, but offered a prayer of confession that was humble, honest and transparent.

Isaiah knew that there was a particular area of his life that needed cleansing. He asked God to purge and clean his impure lips.

"Woe to me,  I cried, I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty."  Isaiah 6:5 (NIV)

After purifying his lips and taking his guilt away, Isaiah was free to be used by God. He was ready to follow God's will for his life.

"Then I heard a voice from the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us? And I said, "Here I am. Send me." Isaiah 6:8 (NIV)

CONCLUSION

God loves us and wants to show us His mercy and grace by removing our burden of guilt. He can only do this, if we, like David, Ezra and Isaiah are specific with our confession. When our burden is lifted and our healing is complete we are then ready to complete our service for the Lord.

"The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broke and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise." Psalm 51:17 (NIV)

"Then, if my people, who are called by my name, are sorry for what they have done. If they pray and obey and stop their evil ways, I will hear from Heaven, I will forgive their sin and heal their land." 2 Chronicles 7:14 (CEV)

"But if we confess our sins, He will for give our sins, because we can trust God to do what is right. He will cleanse us from all wrongs we have done." 1 John 1:9 (CEV)

"The Devotional Bible" (NCV), 2003, Max Lucado, Thomas Nelson Publishers
"Holy Bible", New International Version.

"The Power of Praying Through the Bible", 1984, Stormie Omartin, Harvest Publishers
"The Life of David as Reflected in the Psalms", Alexander McLaren
"Prayer Factor", Sammy Tippett

www.easyenglish.info (2001) "A New Man", Gordon Churchyard.


"The Power of Praying Through the Bible", 1984