Psalms 51:8

Psalms 51:8

I. (1) The sin of David was (a) a sin against light, and (b) a sin without excuse. He fell with frightful injury to himself, and the effect of Samuel's unction on his head when he made him king over Israel was in this instance only to give him a tyranny over the souls of others. (2) This is its outward aspect. How is it when we look within? Still sadder, still more desperate. He never flinched from the sight of his sin. He looked upon the ghastly sight in apathy. Nathan put his case before him in the form of a parable; he touched David just on the tenderest part, that is, his unkindness and ingratitude. But David felt nothing; he was as secure in the prophet's presence as if he had been guiltless. He was as blind as Balaam when an angel stopped the way.

II. The repentance. (1) First take the signs of his humility. He suffers Nathan to accuse him of his sins, to threaten him with vengeance, to insult his wives, to condemn his infant child to death. He does not interrupt him; he does not retaliate; he does not so much as breathe an excuse or pray for pity. There is no thought of self, or fear of man, or love of praise. (2) See in after-years the fruits of his repentance, those good works and holy tempers of humility and love which gush out and stream over the heart which really repents and is converted. (3) Notice his cheerful confidence, which I venture to call the specially Christian character of his repentance. Just as there is no limit to his confession of sin, so there is none to his hope of restoration. Now we know why God acknowledged David's penitence and forgave him at the instant. In his penitence he had humility, meekness, perseverance, the sense of shame rather than the fear of pain, above all that confidence of faith which the Gospel thus describes: "If thou canst believe, all things are possible."

C. W. Furse, Sermons at Richmond,p. 154.

References: Psalms 51:8. Spurgeon, Sermons,vol. xv., No. 861.Psalms 51:9. Clergyman's Magazine,vol. xiv., p. 207.