Peter Howard
Psalm 51
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Make me hear joy and gladness,
That the bones You have broken may rejoice.
Hide Your face from my sins,
And blot out all my iniquities.
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from Your presence,
And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,
And uphold me by Your generous Spirit.
Psalm 51:7-12
Pr Peter takes us through Psalm 51 where David contrasts the character of man, full of transgression and sin, with God’s purity and righteousness. David begs to be cleansed and delivered from his sins and God has mercy on him and blots out all his transgressions. At the end of it all David could say with joy in his heart, “I have been forgiven.” The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. Psalm 51:17