This Psalm. Ugh.
It was one of the worst times of David’s life. He lusted after someone. He used his authority to seduce her. When she became pregnant he had her husband killed. And even in that he still tried to hide/justify his sin. Until he met up with Nathan who confronted him.
David was an adulterer. A murderer. And a Liar.
David could have hardened his heart further. Instead, he repented. And his sin was now public for not just the people in his day, but all people everywhere who would ever read the Scriptures.
David says of God that he is just when he judges him (Ps 51:4). He admits his guilt but pleads God’s mercy. He longs for joy and gladness to return, and that he would once again be restored to the presence of God. He knows that just going to the temple offering sarifices isn’t enough. Rather he needs repentance (Ps 51:16-17).
It’s a hard psalm to read. Bathsheba and her children lost their husband and father from his wickedness. It didn’t matter that he was replaced with the king. Nobody can replace a father.
Yet what God can do is bring redemption to a disaster. He doesn’t take everything away, but rather he redeems that which has been in evil. For David, in his deep sorrow and repentance, there was forgiveness and humility. And for Bathsheba, even though her husband could not be returned from the dead, he placed her son on the throne.
Did it erase the impact of the sin? No. Did it cancel everything out? Not at all. But was there redemption by God in spite of it? Yes.
We pray for healing. We pray for the ability to forgive. We pray to be forgiven. And yes, we can ask God to redeem it somehow.
