This psalm is the second of the so-called “penitential” (or penitent) psalms. It is the first of the 13 “maschil” psalms (“maschil” = for instruction). (David is going to teach us something.) It was almost certainly written after David had committed adultery and premeditated murder. In Psalm 51:14 he prays, “Deliver me from bloodguiltiness . . . ” (BLOODGUILTINESS = the shedding of blood that causes death.) David knew what he had done, and for nearly a year he resisted the accusations of his conscience, the conviction of God’s Spirit, and, possibly, chastisement by ailments in his body. This presents another great teaching of Scripture - God chastens His children -- Hebrews 12:6-11! His repentance did not come until Nathan’s message, “thou art the man,” cut him to the heart. The reading, studying, and declaration of God’s Word will reveal and convict us of our sin. The preacher who preaches God’s Word doesn’t aim to “step on toes,” he goes for the heart. Psalm 51 was probably David’s first prayer for pardon with Psalm 32 being written later for the instruction of others in fulfillment of his resolve in Psalm 51:12-14: “Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. (13) Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. (14) Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.” David’s humility and repentance are seen in that he, the king, would commit this psalm, which told of his own sin and shame, to the chief musician for use of the temple choir at public services. This psalm teaches us that great sin can be met by a greater grace. It is possible that backsliding can ultimately produce blessing (not separation) if one is willing to give heed to the Word and the conviction of the Holy Spirit. Obviously, this is not an “encouragement” to backsliding but instruction to repentance and forgiveness. God has called believers to be sanctified, holy, and set apart to Him. However, as long as we are in this flesh we will never be perfectly sinless. This is why we need God’s grace and mercy that this psalm speaks of. Who knows how many sins we are guilty of every day -- thoughts, attitudes, failures, refusals to witness, to walk in the Lord, to serve Him, to read and study His Word, and -- pray all fall under the heading of “sins of omission.” Remember, James 4:17 reminds us that “. . . to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.” And any unconfessed, unforgiven sin is a heavy burden for a child of God to bear. But we see something wonderful in this psalm. It is the very thing that David experienced. God’s grace and forgiveness await His penitent children. I John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” So, first of all we see:

I. THE POSITION OF THE SAVED - VV. 1-2.

II. THE PAIN OF SIN (GUILT) - VV. 3-4.

III. THE PARDON OF SIN - VV. 5-7.

IV. THE PRAISE OF THE SAINT - VV. 8-11.