Psalm 51 records David’s struggle and heart cry in repentance to God for his sin. The background is 2 Samuel 11 & 12, where it records David’s sins of sleeping with Bathsheba (2 Sam 11:2-4), deceit (2 Sam 11:6-13), and the murder of Uriah (2 Sam 11:14-17). David’s problem stemmed from not doing what he was supposed to as the king (2 Sam 11:1,2); “...at the time when kings go out to war, David sent Joab... David stayed behind in Jerusalem… Then it happens one evening...” He put himself in a situation that he should not have been in, resulting in temptation and sin. Endeavouring to hide this sin, David was then confronted by the prophet Nathan, who was sent by God (2 Sam 12:1-14). David repented and received restoration in his relationship with God in Psalm 51.
Two important lessons: firstly, Though David’s sin affected Bathsheba, Uriah, the baby, Israel, and himself, and secondly, it predominantly affected God, 2 Sam 12:13; Ps 51. Namely, “Why have you despised the Commandment of the Lord...” (2 Sam 12:9); “...because you have despised Me...” (v10); “...I (David) have sinned against the Lord;” (v13) “…Against You, and You alone, have I sinned...” (Ps 51:4).
Before David could repent to others, he first and foremost needed to repent to the Lord, which he did whole-heartedly. So, when we sin, firstly we also sin against the Lord. Although others may be affected and hurt, they should not be our first and primary focus. It is with the Lord that we need to start getting things right, then and only then with others and ourselves.
