Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. – Psalm 51:12
Psalm 51 illustrates the process of David’s confession and God’s forgiveness once David was confronted with his sin of adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband Uriah. As Charles Spurgeon wrote, the prophet Nathan aroused David’s “dormant conscience and made him see the greatness of his guilt.” When David’s “spiritual nature was awakened, he poured out his song to the accompaniment of sighs and tears.”
Because David’s sin was public knowledge, this psalm was used in the public service. The passage also serves well in private meditation, for each believer has frailties and sins for which confession is necessary. The penitent believer can know that God will bring a joyful restoration of peace through His forgiveness to one who repents. It is faith in God’s Word and confidence in the finished sacrifice of Christ on the cross that gives the believer joy and peace.
David pleaded for cleansing, a clean heart, a willing spirit, and the presence of the Holy Spirit. Known for his music, David’s plea included this: “Let me hear joy and gladness” (Psalm 51:2, 8, 10-12). Spurgeon again provides insight into this last phrase, writing that “the joy of pardon has a voice louder than the voice of sin. God’s voice speaking peace is the sweetest music an ear can hear.”
You learn to hear God’s voice by seeking Him through His word and through prayer. The Scriptures offer hope through salvation in Christ’s atoning death, power through the Holy Spirit, and joy in His promises, both now and in eternity. Pray for a spiritual awakening for those with a dormant conscience in this nation. Ask the Lord to deepen your relationship with Him and pray for those in positions of authority in the government to learn to hear His sweet music.
Today’s Verse: Psalm 51:12
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and uphold me with a willing spirit.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Psalm 51:1-12, 17
Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy
blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
and cleanse me from my sin!
3 For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is ever before me.
4 Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you may be justified in your words
and blameless in your judgment.
5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
and in sin did my mother conceive me.
6 Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being,
and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.
7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8 Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones that you have broken rejoice.
9 Hide your face from my sins,
and blot out all my iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from your presence,
and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and uphold me with a willing spirit.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
