Make me hear joy and gladness, that the bones You have broken may rejoice. Hide Your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. (Psalm 51:8-9)
As was discussed in the previous devotion, David seems to hint that, given the nature of his sin and its fallout, he felt as if he were suffering the same affliction as those who had leprosy — in Hebrew, צרעת tzarat. And so, just as the leper (metzora) was cut off from the rest of society to languish in his uncleanness, so too is the sinner separated from God’s Presence. And just as the metzora laments his condition and longs to be made clean, the one who has sinned against God is in continual agony until he knows he has been forgiven. To some degree, David must have felt as if he were a leper in the eyes of God and man, prompting an angst brought on by the sting of separation from God.
Equating his sin with the stigma of leprosy seems to have been his intent, and so we should not be surprised to find that David likens his correction to something else that is also very painful. First consider Solomon’s words written later: “Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones” (Proverbs 16:24). If glad tidings bring health to the bones, then what does bad news do? What would news delivered by a prophet coming to confront you with your sin do to one’s bones? Some commentators believe this is what is meant by David’s statement regarding broken bones and the desire to be restored. And even though he longs to be restored, David never invoked a plea that would have exempted him for God’s correction.
It seems the primary point of these verses, at least from David’s perspective, was to acknowledge that he had done wrong and that he was extremely remorseful. Therefore, he pleaded with God not to look upon him with anger, but in mercy, and to forgive him and erase his sins from memory. That is not to say he wished for God to excuse his sin but to blot it out from memory so that reconciliation and restoration may occur.
I would imagine that most of us have been in a similar state; feeling the anxiety of separation because of sin, and longing to be cleansed and restored to a normal and happier life. If you’ve ever been there, then you also know the jubilation that comes when your sins are forgiven and you are allowed to experience the joy of restoration. There is nothing more remarkable than knowing that, because God loves us, He chastens us but always with an eye on reconciliation. And when He forgives us He, indeed, blots out our sins to be remembered no more.
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
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