Psalm 51 is a Prayer of Confession that's actually genuine. With all the celebrities, and even celebrity Christians falling into public sin, only to be followed by half-hearted contrition, or none at all, it's necessary to come back to this psalm and experience what godly sorrow looks like.

Whereas so many leaders of country's and cults have hideous sin in their lives, David stands out as one of few that actually chart a course to repentance. When a Muslim apologist was faced with having to deal with the pedophilia of Muhammad, he side-stepped and mentioned David's infidelity. But Psalm 51 shows us that unlike the progenitor of Islam, David recognized his actions as sin and sought forgiveness and healing.

Psalm 51

1Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. 2Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!

3For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. 4Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. 5Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. 6Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.

7Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice. 9Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. 10Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. 11Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. 12Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.

The Bible commands us to praise the Lord, but it also gives us reasons why we should praise the Lord. In this sermon Pastor David examines how this psalm shouts that our God is good, our God is great and our God is gracious. It delights in His sovereign power over all creation and redemption.

Psalm 135

Praise the LORD! Praise the name of the LORD, give praise, O servants of the LORD,

2 who stand in the house of the LORD, in the courts of the house of our God!

3 Praise the LORD, for the LORD is good; sing to His name, for it is pleasant!

4 For the LORD has chosen Jacob for Himself, Israel as His own possession.

5 For I know that the LORD is great, and that our Lord is above all gods.

6 Whatever the LORD pleases, he does, in heaven and on earth, in the seas and all deeps.

7 He it is who makes the clouds rise at the end of the earth, who makes lightnings for the rain and brings forth the wind from His storehouses.

8 He it was who struck down the firstborn of Egypt, both of man and of beast;

9 who in your midst, O Egypt, sent signs and wonders against Pharaoh and all his servants;

10 who struck down many nations and killed mighty kings,

11 Sihon, king of the Amorites, and Og, king of Bashan, and all the kingdoms of Canaan,

12 and gave their land as a heritage, a heritage to His people Israel.

13 Your name, O LORD, endures forever, Your renown, O LORD, throughout all ages.

14 For the LORD will vindicate His people and have compassion on his servants.

15 The idols of the nations are silver and gold, the work of human hands.

16 They have mouths, but do not speak; they have eyes, but do not see;

17 they have ears, but do not hear, nor is there any breath in their mouths.

18 Those who make them become like them; so do all who trust in them.

19 O house of Israel, bless the LORD! O house of Aaron, bless the LORD!

20 O house of Levi, bless the LORD! You who fear the LORD, bless the LORD!

21 Blessed be the LORD from Zion, He who dwells in Jerusalem! Praise the LORD!

Further Study: Ps 29:2 34:8; 115; 119:68; 148:8; 1 Pet 2:9; Dan 4:35; Isa 46:9-10; Job 37:10-12; 42:2; Heb 1:3; Col 1:15-20; Acts 17:28; Rom 11:36; John 6:44, 65.

None of us likes to be told what to do. We want to be our own boss, to call the shots, but the Bible warns us that there is a King over all the universe and it's not you or me. In this sermon Pastor David explains that rebellion against the Almighty means certain destruction, so we must bow the knee to Christ the King. There is no refuge from Him, there's only refuge in Him.

Psalm 2

Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? 2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against his Anointed, saying, 3 “Let us burst their bonds apart and cast away their cords from us.” 4 He who sits in the heavens laughs; the Lord holds them in derision. 5 Then He will speak to them in His wrath, and terrify them in His fury, saying, “As for Me, I have set My King on Zion, My holy hill.” 7 I will tell of the decree: The LORD said to Me, “You are My Son; today I have begotten you. 8 Ask of Me, and I will make the nations Your heritage, and the ends of the earth Your possession. 9 You shall break them with a rod of iron and dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.” 10 Now therefore, O kings, be wise; be warned, O rulers of the earth. 11 Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling. 12 Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and you perish in the way, for His wrath is quickly kindled. Blessed are all who take refuge in Him.

Further Study: 2 Samuel 7:12-16; Isaiah 45:22-23; Acts 4:24-29; Hebrews 1:5; 5:5; Acts 13:33; John 5:19-24; Revelation 1:4-7; 19:11-16.