Much has been written about the life of King David. He was an extraordinary man. His rise from shepherding his father’s flock in the pasturelands to defeating a giant foe to give Israel victory. From running for his life from an jealous king to ruling over the nation of Israel. King David’s life is worthy to be lauded and praised. Not only was David successful in his accomplishments, he was also a man of God. The mighty warrior and ruler could also be a poet and psalmist. His lyrics were immersed in his love for Jehovah. When the Lord chose David to be Israel’s king He said, “I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after my own heart, which shall fulfill all my will” (Acts 13:22).
The Old Testament foreshadows the gospel of Jesus Christ in several instances. This holds true for David. First, we should take into consideration that David was from the tribe of Judah, which Jacob prophesied would produce a king (Gen. 49:10). With this in mind the Lord made a covenant with David that his throne would be everlasting (2 Sam. 7:1-17). Through this Davidic Covenant Jesus Christ would be the rightful heir to David’s throne through both His humanity and divinity (Matt. 1:1-17; 22:41-46; Heb. 7:14).
It’s not only through David as a type and shadow of Jesus Christ that the gospel is pictured. Rather, the gospel is found in David’s failure and forgiveness. Despite David being a man after God’s own heart, David had a significant failure. Perhaps there is one Scripture that all of us can relate to concerning David, “Because David did that which was right in the eyes of the Lord, and turned not aside from any thing that he commanded him all the days of his life, save only in the matter of Uriah the Hittite” (1 Kings 15:5). Many of us want to be men and women after God’s own heart, but we feel our own failures and shortcomings keep us from such lofty desires. But it is here in our state of failure that God reaches down and lets us experience the good news of forgiveness. All know what it feels like to be unworthy of God’s grace and love. It is those who have been forgiven much who know what it is to love much (Lk. 7:47).
David had experienced the gospel of Jesus Christ long before anyone else had. He knew what it was like to be a sinner, and taste the bitterness of guilt. But he also knew what it was like to be acquainted with the freedom of forgiveness.
This is the Gospel According to David.
1. The Sinner
David had been king of Israel for quite sometime when he had his moral failure known as the “matter of Uriah the Hittite.” It was the time that kings went out to war, and David stayed at home. David went to his rooftop at evening only to set his eyes upon a woman bathing. Bathsheba was married to Uriah, one of David’s mighty men of war (2 Sam. 23:39). Uriah was away at battle trying to attain victory, while David stayed at home only to surrender his character and good name. David had another battle that he should have been waging against lust and temptation. However, he failed to subdue his desires and had Bathsheba brought to him to commit adultery. To make matters worse, she became pregnant with David’s child. And as if that wasn’t enough David tried to cover it up by attempting to have Uriah come home and stay with his wife for a few nights. When David’s plans to hide his sin failed, he committed a worse error than the first and had Uriah sent back to battle only to have him put in the frontline to ensure his death (2 Sam. 11:1-27).
The Lord sent Nathan the prophet to confront David for his egregious sin. Once David heard Nathan’s message he felt conviction and immediately asked the Lord to forgive his sins (2 Sam. 12:1-14). From this event and prophetic confrontation we are given David’s prayer in Psalm fifty-one.
“Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. 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.” (Psalms 51:1-4)
David uses three words to describe his failure (Ps. 51:3-5,9,13):
- transgression
- iniquity
- sin
Transgression
In the original language “transgress” meant “to rebel.” Another definition for transgress is to “go beyond.” David rebelled and went beyond God’s laws and committed adultery and murder, and a whole host of other sins. Jehovah had given Israel His laws in which God did not want man to kill (Ex. 20:13), to commit adultery (Ex. 20:14), or for a man to covet his neighbor’s wife (Ex. 20:17). David had broken three of the Ten Commandments in the matter of Uriah the Hittite.
We become transgressors when we go beyond what God has commanded. God’s laws represent His character and what He expects of His people. Through the Law God determines what is right and wrong. Furthermore, God decides the judgment for those who disobey His laws. Transgressors break the laws that God has ordained.
David could agree with the writer of Proverbs when he said, “Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard” (Proverbs 13:15). Many have experienced the difficult path that transgressions has led them to. David would need brought back from the awful course that his transgressions brought him to.
Iniquity
In Hebrew the word “iniquity” means “perversion” or “crooked dealing.” David’s actions were perverse and depraved. What God declared to be straight, David decided to distort. David’s actions were part of a deeper problem for he notes that he was born with iniquity: “Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me” (Psalms 51:5).
Man is born with this depraved and perverse nature. Humanity has a bent towards the type behavior David displayed. Adam’s disobedience produced sin and its iniquitous nature is given to all of us (Rom. 5:12-19). Unfortunately, there’s nothing within our power to escape this sinful nature that we are born with. The disease of iniquity is in each of us and it corrupts our hearts (Jer. 17:9). And what comes from our hearts defiles us (Matt. 15:18-20). Someone adequately said, “We are not sinners because we sin. We sin because we are sinners.” David acted in accordance to his sin nature, and not only does he need his sins forgiven, he must have his heart and nature changed.
Sin
“Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me” (Ps. 51:1-3).
The Hebrew definition for “sin” is to “miss the mark” or “fall short.” Paul wrote, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). What mark did David miss, and what mark do we miss? We miss the mark of God’s character. Paul wrote that our sinful condition leaves us short of God’s glory. The glory of God is used to describe His divine attributes which includes his righteousness, and holiness. Adam and Eve were created to reflect God’s glory as His image bearers. However, sin began to distort humanity’s ability to accurately reflect God’s glory, therefore, we come up short and miss the mark. On the other hand, sin is deeper than missing the mark. Sin stains (Jam. 1:27). Sin is considered idolatry (Col. 3:5). Sin separates us from God (Isa. 59:2). Finally, sin leads to death (Gen. 2:17; Rom. 6:23; Jam. 1:15).
David recognizes his failure as depraved, rebellious, and falling short of God’s glory. He acknowledged that it was against God that these atrocities were committed: “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” (Psalms 51:4).
When we sin, like David, we come short of God’s holiness, righteousness and glory. Our transgressions, iniquity and sin keep us short of God’s glory, but that is an eternal distance between our sin and God’s glory. What David needed, and what we need is to be reconciled to God.
2. The Savior
The psalm begins with David throwing himself upon God’s mercy (Ps. 51:1). David acknowledged that he was in need of forgiveness. The first step towards forgiveness and salvation from our sin is the admission that we need rescued. David’s prayer is teeming with repentance. Guilt is such a heavy burden to carry. David longed to be relieved of such a weight, and he cast Himself at Jehovah’s feet to find mercy.
David committed two sins for which the Law of Moses offered no forgiveness. Deliberate adultery and murder deserved the penalty of death. When David says, “For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering” it was due to the fact that there wasn’t an acceptable sacrifice for adultery and murder. There wasn’t an ox, goat, or lamb that he could offer to bring relief. Rather, David appeals to three essential principles of the gospel: God’s mercy, love, and compassion.
Mercy
“Have mercy upon me, O God!” A man who stands condemned needs mercy. A woman who knows the gall of guilt and reproach desires mercy. David knew that he could get mercy from one Person. David didn’t need a priest, or a counselor. No, David needed the mercy of God. God will give pity upon the poor soul who knows they need saving. David, and anyone else can find God’s mercy when they repent. God is not willing that any should perish, but that all would come to repentance (2 Pt. 3:9).
Bible commentator, James Montgomery Boice notes: “We cannot come to God on the basis of his justice; justice strikes us with fear and causes us to hide from him. We are not drawn to God by his wisdom; wisdom does not embolden us, though we stand in awe of it. No more does omniscience, omnipotence, or omnipresence. The only reason we dare come to God and dare hope for a solution to our sin problem is his mercy.”
God desires to show us mercy for he says, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim my name, the Lord, in your presence. I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion” (Exod. 33:12–23).
When the diseased and hurting knew Jesus was near they cried out for His mercy (Matt. 15:22; Mk. 10:47-48). The publican who wouldn’t even lift up his eyes to pray in the synagogue wept and said unto God, “Have mercy upon me, a sinner” (Lk. 18:13).
Love
The New International Version translates this first verse as: “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to your unfailing-love.” The gospel of Jesus Christ is a message of love. Sinners need the mercies of God, but they also need to know the love of God. The Father is abounding in love for He says, “‘The Lord, the Lord, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin’” (Exodus 34:6-7a). St. John added that God is love (1 Jn. 4:8).
Jesus Christ embodied the love of God, and His purpose was to display God’s love to the world: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life” (Jn. 3:16). God’s love was demonstrated when Jesus Christ laid down his life for sinners (Rom. 5:8).
David didn’t need a bullock, turtle dove or goat. No, David needed the Lamb of God which would take away the sins of the world (Jn. 1:29).
Compassion
Compassion is the ability to feel what others feel. Compassion is desperately missing in our world today. When others are broken and hurting we tend to turn away. David made the petition for God to blot out his transgressions based upon God’s compassion.
But how can a Holy God feel compassion towards those who need saving from sin. God is without sin, and is not tempted (Jam. 1:13). However, through Jesus Christ He is our high priest who feels for our weaknesses. Jesus was tempted in every way that we are and yet He was without sin (Heb. 4:15). God, through Jesus Christ, is long suffering and compassionate towards us: “The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy” (Psalms 145:8).
David appealed to God’s love, mercy, and compassion. Now, he needed saving.
3. The Saving
David’s transgression, iniquity and sin was matched with God’s love, mercy, and compassion. But how can God’s mercy, love, and compassion be adequately applied to sinners? Salvation is going to be applied by a gracious God through blotting out, washing thoroughly, and cleansing inwardly.
Blot Out
David desired to have God blot out his transgressions and iniquities (Ps. 51:1,9). In the original language to blot out means to have something removed from a book. David wanted no remembrance of his sin. If there was a record or account of his evil deeds he desired them to be removed. Only the God of grace and mercy can promise to remove our sins and remember them no more: “I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins” (Isaiah 43:25). And again: “He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities; and thou wilt cast all their sins into the depths of the sea” (Micah 7:19).
Wash and Cleanse
Sin stains and soils, and those who are dirty must be cleaned. David recognized he need for cleansing when he said, “wash me thoroughly from my iniquities,” “wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow” and, “create in me a clean heart” (Ps. 51:2,7,10). Cleanse means to purge, or as Boice comments, “it literally means to de-sin.”
David said, “purge me with hyssop and I shall be clean.” Hyssop was a plant that could be found growing in the crevices of buildings, and it would be bundled together to be used as a brush. At the first Passover the Lord told the people of Israel to gather some hyssop and dip into the blood of the sacrificed lamb to spread it over the door of their homes (Ex. 12:22). When the death angel came into the camp he would see the blood over the door and “Passover that house.” When a person was healed of their leprosy the priest would take some hyssop and dip into the blood of the sacrifice and sprinkle it on the one who had been cleansed (Lev. 14:5-7). David, needed the covering and the cleansing.
What can wash away the stain of sin? Only the blood of Jesus Christ (Matt. 26:28)! “But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 Jn. 1:7). “How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God” (Hebrews 9:14).
David didn’t just need his sins washed away, he also needed a new heart and a renewed spirit (Ps. 51:10). The prophet Ezekiel proclaimed that a new covenant would come in which God would give everyone new hearts and a new spirit (Ezekiel 36:26). Sinners can only receive a new heart and a new spirit if they have been born again of the water and Spirit (John 3:3-6).
Conclusion
King David could not offer a sacrifice large enough to bring God’s forgiveness. Despite being wealthy and ruling over a vast domain, David would not be able to pay for Jehovah’s salvation. All that David could offer was a broken and contrite heart:
“For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise” (Psalms 51:16-17)
Beloved, this is all that we can offer in exchange for salvation. A man or woman whose heart is broken because of their sin will be given salvation freely (Rom.5:15; 6:23). The spirit that mourns over past failures will be spiritually healed. The crowds in Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost heard Peter preach the gospel message, and they were cut to the heart (Acts 2:37). Once they heard that message and their hearts were broken, Peter then gave them the application: “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38). Your sin-sick heart can be made clean in baptism. Your contrite spirit can be renewed by receiving the Holy Spirit.
Sin will steal your joy. The lifestyle of the world will not bring you fulfillment or satisfaction. Iniquity will rob you of your sleep and rest. David said, “Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice” (Ps. 51:8). The Lord’s conviction will break the bones of confidence. David longed for joy, gladness and rejoicing to return. David prayed,
“Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit..and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. O Lord, open this my lips; and my mouth shall she forth thy praise” (Ps. 51:12-15).
Once David’s heart and spirit would be restored it would restore his joy and praise. Praise and worship is stifled by sin. Because praise is from the abundance of the heart. If the heart is sick with sin it will not yield worship. But the heart that is cleansed and healed from sin will sing forth the praises of God. What happens to the heart effects the heart. “I will praise you with an upright heart, when I learn your righteous rules” (Psalms 119:7).
Your praise will be restored, and your witness will be inflamed. “Then I will teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee” (Ps. 51:13). The message of salvation must be shared with other who remain in their sin. David confessed his sin to God, now he wants to confess to others of his forgiveness. Sinners are converted when we share what Jesus Christ has done for us.
David had a first-hand experience with the gospel of Jesus Christ. He was a man acquainted with sin and God’s grace. If you are in need of forgiveness take a few moments to read through Psalm fifty-one and witness the gospel according to David.