A Psalm of Confession (Part 2)

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“Hyssop was a small plant frequently found growing in the crevices of stone walls, as Solomon observed (1 Kings 4:33). Because of its shape and structure, it was used as a small brush. In the ceremonies of the temple it was used to sprinkle blood. The first time it is mentioned in the Bible is at the Passover when the Jews were leaving Egypt: “Take a bunch of hyssop, dip it into the blood in the basin and put some of the blood on the top and on both sides of the doorframe” (Exod. 12:22). When the angel of death saw the blood he passed over the Jewish households, and the firstborn in those homes did not die. After that we are told how hyssop was used to sprinkle blood on one who had been healed of some infectious skin disease in an act of ceremonial cleansing (Lev. 14:4, 6) and how it was used in a similar ceremony to cleanse one who had defiled himself by touching a dead body (Num. 19:18).

The author of Hebrews is informative. He indicates that hyssop was used in the enacting of the covenant in Moses’ day:

When Moses had proclaimed every commandment of the law to all the people, he took the blood of calves, together with water, scarlet wool and branches of hyssop, and sprinkled the scroll and all the people. He said, “This is the blood of the covenant, which God has commanded you to keep.” In the same way, he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle and everything used in its ceremonies. In fact, the law requires that nearly everything be cleansed with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness (Heb. 9:19–22).

Let us come to God seeking the 2 things which we need the most; pardon and purification!  We are all sinners like David, in our deeds and in our nature.  First, we need cleansing, then we need God to create a clean heart in us!

1. A Pure Heart in Verses 10-12—David was not content with mere forgiveness, but rather he asks God to change his heart so he does not sin against God like he did before.  David asks God to do 3 things:
   1. Create a Pure Heart in Verse 10—This is a profound request.  The word used here for “create” is the same word used in the Creation Narrative in Genesis 1.  It must be stressed that when God created our physical universe, he created it ex nihilio or “out of nothing”.
      1. Genesis 1:1—God creates matter itself, the heavens and the earth.
      2. Genesis 1:21—God creates self-conscious life, the animal kingdom.
      3. Genesis 1:27—God creates God-conscious life, human beings.
   2. This is the same word David uses in Psalm 51:10. Basically, David realizes he is so incredibly sinful that he needs a miracle.  David needs the Creator to be his ReCreator.
      • Romans 7:18.
      • David knows that if he is going to get victory over his sin he needs God to create a clean heart from nothing because there is nothing good in David apart from God.
      • Our sin nature contaminates everything like parasite infested drinking water.  If David is going to have victory over sin, he needs God to start over from the beginning.
      • Ezekiel 36:25-27
      • Application:  When was the last time we prayed “Lord, create a pure heart in me out of nothing?”  Perhaps one reason we don’t pray that way is because we have a low view of our sin and a low view of sin is congruent with a low view of God.
      • Do Not Cast Me Away in Verse 11—Although David knows God is able to re-create his sinful heart, David does not want to fall away from God again.  David acknowledges that He cannot live a life pleasing to God without God Himself sustaining David.   
      • J. J. Stewart Perowne writes along these lines, explaining, “It is the cry of one who knows, as he never knew before, the weakness of his own nature, and the strength of temptation, and the need of divine help.” Alexander Maclaren has the same idea in mind when he says, “The psalmist is recoiling from what he knows only too well to be the consequence of an unclean heart—separation from God.”
      • Application:  Are we keenly aware of our need for God the Holy Spirit to enable us to live for God daily?  
   3. Restore the Joy of Your Salvation in Verse 12—It’s not salvation David lost but rather the joy of it.
      • Application:  So many people in our day think the way to a good time is sinning against God.  But, the opposite is actually true. 
2. A Promise to Teach Others in Verses 13-17—Having confessed, been cleansed and renewed by God, David realizes he needs to share his experience with others.  We have a duty to the world in teaching them of God’s forgiving graces.  David says there are 3 things which he will teach others:
   1. The Ways of God in Verse 13—This probably has to do with God’s “ways” with sinners.  Namely, that God convicts us of our sins, then accounts us righteous based upon the blood of the offering which covers our sins when we confess them.
      • Remember Psalm 32 and Romans 4— “Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.”
      • This is what sinners need to be taught!  The Gospel of Christ!
   2. God’s Righteousness in Verse 14—The word “righteousness” has to do with God’s faithfulness.
   3. Praise to God in Verse 15—The natural outcome of all this is praising God.
3. A Prayer in Verses 18-19

Conclusion—May we come to rejoice in God’s great forgiveness of great sinners such as ourselves!