Alex Townsend
Summer in the Psalms
Psalm 51
The Content of Confession
23 February 2025
How do we regard the sin in our lives? In Psalm 51, David gives us a pattern of true confession and restoration.
Our confession must involve an appeal to God's character (v. 1 - 2). David asked God to wipe away his record of sin; to wash him from his iniquity, and to ceremonially cleanse him from sin.
Our confession must involve an acceptance of full responsibility (v. 3 - 5). We accept responsibility by seeing that every sin is a personal affront to God; that God bears no responsibility for our sin and His verdict is just; and our sin is an expression of our nature.
Our confession must involve a hope in God's mercy (v. 6 - 9), because He grants joy and gladness after repentance. It must involve seeking spiritual renewal of the soul (v. 10 - 12), and a commitment to continued worship (v. 13 - 19).