Psalms 51

Psalms 51:4

Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.

It is only thy prohibition, O God, that can make a sin: I have sinned against men, but it is thy law that I have violated, in that my offence; and if I have so carried my sin that the world takes not notice of it, yet I know it cannot be hid from thee; thou only, as thou canst charge me with it, so canst remit it unto me: I do therefore freely acknowledge these horrible sins of mine, that I may clearly acquit thee in thy proceedings against me: the reproof of thy prophet, the menaces of thy judgment, are too well deserved on my part: do what thou wilt with me, I must needs justify thy severe courses against me.

Psalms 51:6

And in the hidden part thou shall make me to know wisdom.

Notwithstanding this darkness, that I have brought upon my soul by my sin, thou shalt in thy great mercy so enlighten me, that in the secret corners of my heart, I shall understand that wonderful mystery of my redemption and salvation in the blood of my Saviour.

Psalms 51:7

Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Oh, do thou then, by that precious blood, sprinkled upon my soul by a true faith, which was and is figured in the legal aspersions, cleanse me from mine iniquities; so shall I be pure and innocent in thy sight: wash me in that all-sufficient laver of the blood of my Saviour; so shall I be whiter than snow, before thee. VOL. III.

Psalms 51:8

Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.

Do thou speak peace and reconciliation to thy servant: renew the joy of my heart, in the comfortable assurance of thy forgiveness; that so my soul, which is now dejected and justly grieved for my sin, may find cause of rejoicing in thee.

Psalms 51:11

Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy Holy Spirit from me.

HOWSOVER I have deserved that thou shouldest cast me off, and strip me of all the graces and gifts of thy Spirit, which thou hast blessed me with; yet, O Lord, do not thou deal thus with me, but continue me in thy presence, and continue thy graces in me.

Psalms 51:12

Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free Spirit.

How can I, O Lord, be other than pensive and miserable, whilst I stand in these terms with thee? What comfort can I find, till my heart be assured of thy favour? Oh, do thou restore to me that joy of thy Holy Ghost, which I have wont to feel in the clear and evident apprehension of my salvation; and though I have made myself a slave to my sin, yet do thou free me by thy good Spirit; and thereby do thou maintain me in this happy liberty of thy service.

Psalms 51:16

For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offerings.

O God, it is not the price, or the outward ceremony of legal sacrifices, that either thou takest pleasure in, or I affect to rest in; else I would be glad to come to thee with thousands of rains; but these bare external rites are not the thing thou requirest.

Psalms 51:17

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

Here is another and a better sacrifice, which I present thee withal, even a broken and humbled soul; and this I know (such is thy wonderful mercy) cannot but be very acceptable unto thee.