Week of May 10

“To err is human, to forgive divine,” is Alexander Pope’s 18th century immortal, heroic couplet from an “Essay on Criticism.” It referred originally to the way writers sometimes overly praise or harshly criticize other writers, but it has come to mean that every human being makes mistakes. The point is that we should be forgiving of those who blunder, since God shows His divine mercy in forgiving sinners. Our focal passage today features God’s extraordinary forgiveness as experienced in the life of King David. We know well that David had engaged in a forbidden relationship with Bathsheba and, to conceal her subsequent pregnancy, implemented a murderous plot against her husband, Uriah (see 2 Samuel 11-12). In this psalm of contrition, even a casual reader will sense the grandeur of God’s grace.

The psalm is classified as one of the seven penitential psalms (cf. Psalms 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, and 143; EBC), and is known as an individual lament, because of its personal confessional nature and its corporate use within the Christian community. Its clear focus on prayer includes confession and contrition (51:3-6), restoration (51:1-2, 7-12), and thanksgiving (51:13-17)—a pattern we do well to follow. The psalmist also hopes that the Lord will deal kindly with him and with the worshipers in Zion (51:17-19). It invites all sinners, regardless of the sin, to pursue the path to mercy that David has traveled.

God’s nature as loving and compassionate. We should note the parallel between David’s view of things and the truth according to God’s word. He had shown little regard for the rights of Bathsheba and Uriah, so he knows full well that he has no right to divine blessings. Nevertheless, God has promised to forgive, and this forgiveness is based exclusively on His love and compassion (51:1; cf. Exodus 34:6-7). David knew that the wellspring of mercy flowed from the heart of God and was His desire for all people, so David runs to the Lord for His forgiveness (Numbers 6:25; “be gracious to you”).

God’s justice. Uriah had suffered a grave injustice because David had permitted his own lustful desires to eclipse his regard for the value of human life (2 Samuel 11:14-25). The evil in his heart gave birth to a willful act of misconduct and sin (cf. Genesis 4:7; Exodus 20:13). He no doubt had lain many nights on his bed and seen the horror of his crime against Uriah. Thankfully, the darkness of David’s soul did not prevent God from treating him as a person of value (2 Samuel 12:13). God harbors no evil in His heart, and He always acts justly and righteously. It is His nature. So, the psalmist appeals to the Lord’s “love” (ḥeseḏ) and His “great compassion” and asks Him to cancel or wipe clean (Heb. maha; “efface”) his transgression (51:1; cf. 25:6; Isaiah 63:7; Lamentations 3:32; Luke 18:13; 1 Peter 1:3; EBC). God answered David’s prayer and erased his sin, based entirely upon His own mercy and love.

God’s grace! Sin was canceled because, ultimately, justice was served when God’s own Son, Jesus, suffered the penalty for sin—David’s and ours (Romans 5:8)! God, having satisfied His own requirement of justice, was justified (right) when He raised Jesus from the grave. He has extended the same offer of forgiveness to us that David received because of His great love for you and me (see Acts 2:23, 24, 36-38). We may sing along with David, “my tongue will joyfully sing of your righteousness” (51:14b).

The most polluted waterway on our planet is claimed to be the Citarum River in West Java, Indonesia. The river is the major water source for millions of people, even though it is heavily contaminated by enormous quantities of untreated industrial and agricultural waste, domestic sewage, as well as large amounts of plastic and debris. The pollution has led to serious health problems for people living along the river and has contributed to ecological damage.

Jesus, our King, reminds us of the pollution that resides within the human heart (Matthew 15:11). He knows the moral blindness of humankind and the need for His purifying work. Thankfully, the Scriptures teach us, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

1. Stop for a moment and consider your own heart. Have you treated people unjustly? Devalued another human life in word or deed? Ask for God’s forgiveness and then seek to restore the relationship(s) that you have broken by your sin.

2. For Families: It seems that this theme of forgiveness from sin rises often in Scripture, doesn’t it? We humans need to be reminded of our own vulnerability, our tendency to wander from God and choose our own paths. When this happens, the way David ran to God for confession and forgiveness is a model for each member of our families.

Ask the children to come outside with you to get some fresh air and sunshine. Propose a series of races – around the tree, over to the corner of the lot, back to the bush, and home! Time them with your stopwatch or phone app. After their exercise, while they are resting, serve them a snack under the shade tree or on the porch. 

Share with them the brief story of a king who sinned against God by taking what was not his, and plotting to cover it up. Then share about his running to God for forgiveness, and the steps David prayed as He mourned and confessed his sin to God. He took responsibility, recognized the evil he had done, and asked God for mercy and forgiveness. Just like your kids running around their yard for the finish line, David ran purposefully to God, who has promised to forgive. Give thanks to Him for His infinite love and kindness to us.

May your paths be straight,
Larry C. Ashlock