Psalms 51:7

DISCOURSE: 589
THE MEANS OF DELIVERANCE FROM SPIRITUAL LEPROSY

Psalms 51:7. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

EVERY part of God’s word is profitable for our instruction in righteousness; but, in the Psalms, religion is exemplified, and, as it were, embodied. The workings of genuine repentance are admirably delineated in that before us. David traces his iniquities to their proper source, his original corruption. He acknowledges the necessity of a thorough renovation of soul: and, in legal terms, but of evangelical import, he implores forgiveness.
The expressions in the text intimate to us,

I. The nature of sin—

The generality of the world imagine sin to be a light and venial evil. Some indeed have learned to dread it as destructive of their eternal happiness; but very few have any idea of it as defiling and debasing the soul.

It is in this view, however, that we are now called to consider it—
[Sin has defiled every member of our body, and every faculty of our soul: hence St. Paul speaks of it as “filthiness both of the flesh and spirit [Note: 2 Corinthians 7:1.].” What uncircumcised ears [Note: Acts 7:51.], what venomous tongues [Note: James 3:6.], what adulterous eyes [Note: 2 Peter 2:14.], have the greater part of mankind [Note: See Romans 3:10.]! How are all their members used as instruments of unrighteousness [Note: Romans 6:13.]! What pride, and envy, what wrath, and malice, are harboured in the bosom! How gladly would we cast off all allegiance to God, and be a god unto ourselves [Note: Psalms 12:4.]! Thus, in fleshly lusts, we degrade ourselves almost to a level with the beasts [Note: 2 Peter 2:22.]; and, in spiritual filthinesss, we too much resemble the fallen angels [Note: John 8:44.]. How different is this state from that in which we were first created [Note: Genesis 1:27.]! Yet is the change effected solely by the agency of sin [Note: Romans 5:12.]

In this view, more especially, is sin represented in the text—
[The Psalmist evidently refers to the state of a leper, or a leprous house. No disorder was more lothesome than leprosy [Note: Leviticus 13:8.]. A person infected with it was driven from the society of his dearest relatives, and was necessitated to proclaim his uncleanness to all who approached him [Note: Leviticus 13:44.]. Nor could his disorder ever be cured by the art of man. If he were ever healed, it was by God alone, without the intervention of human means. Hence David, knowing the filthiness and incurableness of sin, cries to God.]

Similar representations also abound in every part of the sacred writings—
[Our natural depravity is declared in expressions of the like import [Note: Job 15:14.] Our acquired corruptions are said to render us lothesome objects [Note: Proverbs 13:5.]. The very remains of sin in the holiest of men are also described in similar terms [Note: Romans 7:24. The allusion seems to be to a dead body, which was sometimes fastened to criminals, till they died in consequence of the stench arising from it. In such a light did St. Paul view the remains of sin which he felt within him.]: yea, the most eminent saints, in bewailing their sinfulness, have used the very same figure as David in the text [Note: Isaiah 6:5.]. Happy would it be for us, if we had these news of sin: we should soon put away our proud, self-exalting thoughts, and should adopt the confessions of holy Job [Note: Job 9:20; Job 9:30.]

But, vile as sin is, it may be both forgiven and subdued—

II.

The means of deliverance from it—

It has been already observed, that David alludes to the case of a leper. This is manifest from the terms, wherein he implores deliverance. Under Jewish figures he sets forth the only means of salvation—
[Certain means were prescribed by God for the purification of a leper [Note: Leviticus 14:2.]. When God had healed him, “the priest was to take two clean birds, with cedar-wood, scarlet, and hyssop.” Having killed one of the birds, the priest was to “dip the hyssop and the live bird in the blood of the bird that had been slain:” he was then to “sprinkle the leper seven times, and to let loose the living bird.” This ordinance typified the death of Christ, with his resurrection, and subsequent ascension into hearen with his own blood [Note: Hebrews 9:12.]. A similar ordinance is explained by the Apostle in this very manner [Note: Hebrews 9:13.], and the same effect is plainly ascribed to the things here typified [Note: Romans 4:25.].” It is therefore in reference to Christ that David says, “Purge me with hyssop.”

In the purification of a leprous house, water was used with the blood [Note: Leviticus 14:48.]. This further typified the renewing influences of the Spirit of Christ, and David seems to allude to it, when he adds, “Wash me,” &c. Nor is this by any means a forced or fanciful distinction. An inspired writer lays peculiar stress upon it [Note: 1 John 5:6.], and every enlightened person sees as much need of Christ’s Spirit to wash him from the defilement of sin, as of his blood to purge him from its guilt.]

The efficacy ascribed to these means is not at all exaggerated-
[There is no sin whatever which the blood of Christ cannot cleanse. We cannot conceive more enormous transgressions than those of David, yet even he could say with confidence, “Purge me, &c and I shall be clean.” Purified in this way, his soul would become “whiter than snow.” This blessed truth is attested by the beloved Apostle [Note: 1 John 1:7.], and it is urged by God himself as an inducement to repentance [Note: Isaiah 1:18.]. Our renewal indeed by the Holy Spirit is not perfect in this life, but it shall be continually progressive towards perfection [Note: 2 Corinthians 4:16.], and, when the leprous tabernacle shall be taken down, it shall be reared anew in consummate purity and beauty [Note: 2 Corinthians 5:1.Philippians 3:21.]

Infer—
1.

How mistaken are they, who seek salvation by any righteousness of their own!

[We can no more eradicate sin from our souls, than a leprosy from our bodies. No man ever more deeply bewailed his sin, or more thoroughly turned from it than David [Note: Psalms 6:6; Psalms 38:4.], yet he did not say, “Purge me with my tears, my repentances, or my duties, but, purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean:” he would make mention of no righteousness but that of Christ [Note: Psalms 71:15.]; nor would St. Paul himself trust for a moment in any other [Note: Philippians 3:9.]. Shall we then boast as if we were more penitent than David, more zealous than Paul? Let us rather humble ourselves in the language of Job [Note: Job 9:15 and xl. 4.], and determine to glory in nothing but the cross of Christ [Note: Galatians 6:14.]

2. What encouragement is here afforded to mourning penitents!

[If David did not despair of merey, who else can have cause to do so? If the blood of Christ could so purge him, why may it not us also? If it had such efficacy a thousand years before it was shed, surely it will not be less efficacious now it has been poured forth. But it is not the mere shedding of Christ’s blood that will profit us. We must, by faith, apply it to our own souls. Let us then go to the blood of sprinkling which speaketh such good things to us [Note: Hebrews 12:24.]; let us cry with earnest and repeated entreaties, “Purge me, wash me.!” thus shall our polluted souls be whiter than snow itself, and ere long we shall join, in that general chorus [Note: Revelation 1:5.]