“Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, the God of my salvation, and my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness.”
Psalms 51:14 (NKJV)

READ: Psalm 51:1–17; 2 Samuel 11:1–27

In this part of the Psalm, we examine David’s supplication regarding the sin he committed. He committed adultery with Uriah’s wife, which resulted in pregnancy, but in a bid to conceal it, he committed murder—he arranged a bloody death for the husband, Uriah. And he went ahead to marry the woman, Uriah’s wife (2 Samuel 12:9).

We could see that one sin led to another, and that to another, until it became a complicated chain of sins (2 Samuel 11:1–27). In our text, Psalm 51:14, David was asking God to deliver him from the guilt of bloodshed. This is why it is advisable not to sin at all rather than asking for forgiveness after the sin has been committed.

The consequences of sin committed will always be there. Although, in the New Testament, there is provision for repentance in the Bible (1 John 1:9; 2:1,2). However, even if you who committed the sin are forgiven, the repercussions or consequences of the sin may linger on for days, months, or years (2 Samuel 12:10–12). The point being made is: it is better not to have committed a sin than to ask for forgiveness after you have committed it.

David also said that if he were delivered from the guilt of bloodshed, he would sing aloud of the righteousness of God with his tongue (Psalm 51:14). He also asks that God should open his lips and his mouth would show forth God’s praise (Psalm 51:15).

Who else should praise and celebrate God if not a repentant sinner who is forgiven (Psalm 103:1–3)? Whoever is forgiven should deem it fitting to celebrate Jesus who laid down His life as a sacrifice for the sin of mankind (John 10:15–18; Philippians 2:7–9; 1 John 2:1,2), and God Who released His only begotten Son for mankind’s sin
(John 3:16).

In essence, David was saying that genuine repentance from the heart
is much more important than any sacrifice offered by the person who committed the sin. In the New Testament, there is no other sacrifice or burnt offering required by God but the substitutionary sacrifice of Christ Jesus (Hebrews 9:12; 10:18). This is emphasised in that same Psalm 51 verse 17: “THE SACRIFICES OF GOD ARE A BROKEN SPIRIT, A BROKEN AND A CONTRITE HEART—THESE, O GOD, YOU WILL NOT DESPISE.”

A contrite heart with a genuine repentance would always receive God’s mercy and favour. Whoever has done wrong should always ask and plead for God’s mercy and help (1 John 1:9). David was restored and received favour because of his repentant heart:
“SO DAVID SAID TO NATHAN, ‘I HAVE SINNED AGAINST THE LORD.’ AND NATHAN SAID TO DAVID, ‘THE LORD
ALSO HAS PUT AWAY YOUR SIN; YOU SHALL NOT DIE’” 2 Samuel 12:13

It is a godly sorrow that produces repentance: “FOR GODLY SORROW PRODUCES REPENTANCE LEADING TO SALVATION, NOT TO BE REGRETTED; BUT THE SORROW OF THE WORLD PRODUCES DEATH.” 2 Corinthians 7:10

Reflect:
• Have you ever tried to justify yourself before God when you knew you had sinned? What does David’s example teach you?
• Is there any sin you have been carrying guilt over without fully
surrendering it to God in repentance?

Peace!

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