Against You Have I Sinned (Psalm 51)
Larry was invited to play in a charity scramble. He owned a local gas station and was invited to play by three of his customers – Mike, Lilly, and their friend Richard, who attended church together and prayed earnestly for Larry to come to faith in Christ. Larry was a great guy, but even after numerous gospel conversations, he had yet to look to Jesus for the forgiveness of his sins.
On a beautiful Saturday morning, they gathered to play in the event. Richard rode in the golf cart with Larry because Richard had grown the closest to Larry. In fact, Richard had shared the gospel and invited Larry to respond just a week or so before the tournament.
The foursome started on hole #1, and each hit great drives down the middle of the fairway. On their approach to the green, everyone missed the green short. It was up to Larry to knock it on the green for a chance at birdie. As he swings, a cart in the distance screeches to a halt.
He is distracted, hits behind the ball about 4 inches, and misses the green. At the top of his lungs, in frustration, he screams the Lord’s name in vain (see Exodus 20:7).
Instantly, he realizes what he has done and says to Richard, “Excuse me.” His choice of words most certainly offended Richard and the others. Richard tells Larry, “I’m not the one who excuses you.”
Of course, Larry’s outburst troubled and offended everyone. In a moment primed for truth, Richard graciously tells Larry that only God can excuse him when he sins his words.
For I know my transgressions
and my sin is ever before me.
Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight. (Psalm 51:3-4)
Psalm 51 is one of the seven Penitential Psalms in the Psalter, a lament over personal or corporate sin. It is David’s lament over his sin against Bathsheba and her husband, Uriah. 2 Samuel 11 reveals that she was bathing when David looked upon her. He summoned her to be brought to him and would sleep with her. He placed Uriah at the front of the battle to cover his wickedness, knowing he would be killed.
His sins displeased the Lord (v.27). In 2 Samuel 12, God sent Nathan, the prophet, to confront David. When David realizes what he has done, he tells Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord” (v.13).
David seeks reconciliation with God in Psalm 51. He is desperate for the Lord’s forgiveness. Consider the words he uses in his lament – have mercy and blot out (v.1), wash me and cleanse me (v.2), purge and wash me (v.7), hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquities (v.9), cast me not away (v.11), create in me a clean heart and renew (v.10), and lastly restore me (v.12).
Like King David, Larry sinned against God and needed to know that only God could forgive and excuse him.
At this moment, perhaps you realize your sin is ultimately against the Lord. Seek His mercy and grace now. Cry out for His forgiveness. Pray Psalm 51 to Him as your lament for your sinfulness. He is quick to forgive (Psalm 86:5-6).
Prayer: Lord, When I sin, it is against you. Please forgive me of my wickedness and restore the joy of Your salvation. Amen