Summer in the Psalms Week 11 - Psalm 51 | Sunday Service 8/3/25

The context for Psalm 51 is David’s sin of adultery, murder, covering over his sin, and a hardness of heart towards repentance. It took a visit from the prophet Nathan with storied words to prick David’s heart - and break it - over all that he had done. It might be easy to look upon David and think; how could he be so dull to the evil in his heart? It seems so obvious to us. So true, often, are the sins we have normalized within our culture. Would that we could have a friend who loves us enough to point it out, and hearts humble enough to receive the correction!

This psalm illuminates the grandeur of God’s mercy, His love that does not fail, and His compassion towards us in our wretched state. May the words of this psalm restore to us the joy of His salvation! May we be open to recognizing our sin, knowing that it is safe to do so because our Father God welcomes our broken and contrite hearts as an offering of faith.

Prepare for this week’s teaching by meditating on the words of Psalm 51 with 2 Samuel 11-12