Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity. Cleanse me from my sin. Psalm 51:2 WEB

This psalm of David is consistent with so much of his writing. While so many might consider that there is a difference between the nature of God in the Old Testament and the New Testament, David’s psalms give insight into the mercy and saving grace of faith in God. In this psalm, David pleads for mercy and calls upon the loving kindness of the Lord. In a prophetic sense of faith in the cleansing power of the blood of Christ, rather than relying on the sacrifice of an inferior animal, David calls out to the Lord asking God himself to cleanse him from his sin.

Sin leaves the sinner with a feeling of uncleanliness. When we fall short of the glory and righteousness of God, the guilt and shame of our rebellious deeds tends us towards a feeling of defilement. It is similar to the sensation we get when we touch something that is unclean. And so, David pleads to the Lord saying, “cleanse me from my sin.” 

In this plea is an element of repentance. In other words, David realizes that what he has done is wrong and God’s ways are right. Having received the Holy Spirit when he was anointed to become the King of Israel, the Spirit convicted David of his transgressions throughout his life. 

Jesus Calls Sinners to Repentance

The Holy Spirit of God calls believers to repentance from sin. As Christ says in Luke 5:32, “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. WEB” Interestingly, even in Old Testament times, David felt this calling to repentance due to his having received the Spirit of God. 

Beyond that, David fears losing the Holy Spirit. He writes in Psalm 51:10-11, “Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me. Don’t throw me from your presence,  and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me. WEB” David knew that God desires mercy over sacrifice. He knew that his salvation was contingent upon his contrite heart and repentance. Like modern Christians. David believed in the grace of God.

The apostle Paul encourages us in Ephesians 4:24 to, “put on the new man, who in the likeness of God has been created in righteousness and holiness of truth. WEB” Like David, our natural state is sinful and rebellious. Believing in God and the sacrifice Christ made on the cross, though sinful in nature, we cry out to the Lord, “cleanse me from my sin.” God is faithful to forgive us when we repent. 

Yesterday’s Devotional: We Are His Workmanship