“To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly 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. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise. 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. Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem. Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar. ” (Psalm 51, KJV)
Our text shows a few of the results of sin. Among those results are found the debilitating problem of spiritual depression.
Our text shows:
a troubled conscience Psalm 51:3
an understanding of guilt and shame going with it Psalm 51:6-7
lack of joy Psalm 51:8,10,12
These things were present in the heart of David before Nathan ever confronted him about his sin (See 2Samuel 12). His sin was always on his mind and heart, giving him heartache and discomfort. There were also physical effects that came as a result of an uneasy, guilty, and shameful conscience (Psalm 32:3-4). David was so troubled in conscience and soul that he became physically affected by it.
What was the cure? Confession of his sin (Psalm 32:1-5) and the clear conscience that comes as the assured result of being forgiven.
Sadly, many people today live in desperation, depression, and turmoil because of sin. “I create the fruit of the lips; Peace, peace to him that is far off, and to him that is near, saith the LORD; and I will heal him. But the wicked are like the troubled sea, when it cannot rest, whose waters cast up mire and dirt. ” (Isaiah 57:19–20, KJV) There is simply no rest to be found until one confesses their sins and receives the rest that only Christ can give. (See also Romans 4:1-8;Romans 5:1-2).