James Nisbet Commentary - Psalms 51:17 - 51:17

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James Nisbet Commentary - Psalms 51:17 - 51:17


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This Chapter Verse Commentaries:

The sacrifice of God is a troubled spirit.’

Psa_51:17 (Prayer Book Version)

Notice one or two of those accepted sacrifices which from time to time have been set up in our world, and which the Holy Spirit has recorded for our humiliation, our comfort, and our happiness.

I. The repentance of David was the repentance of a fallen child of God.—If we can say that David’s confession was the cause of his forgiveness, in a truer sense we may say David’s forgiveness was the cause of his repentance. It was none other than the fountain of God’s forgiving love that opened the fountain of a penitent spirit.

II. The case of Manasseh, the son of Hezekiah, was as dissimilar to that of David as it is possible for the manifestation of the same grace to be in two places.—Manasseh was a dissolute, godless man for more than half the years of his life. David was aroused by a voice, Manasseh by an iron chain. Out of the depths he cried to God. Sorrow made him acquainted with himself; prayer made him acquainted with God.

III. The history of the Ninevites stands out with this signalising mark, that our Lord Himself adduced it as the very standard of true repentance, by which others at the last great day shall be measured and condemned.—The distinguishing feature in their repentance was that it was national.

IV. Mary was saved at Jesus’ feet; Peter by a look from Jesus’ eye.—With each God deals separately—as He pleases, and as each requires. But in all sin is the parent of the sorrow, sorrow is the parent of the joy, and joy is the parent of holiness. Grace and the God of grace are the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever, ‘all in all.’

—
Rev. James Vaughan.

Illustration

‘I would cherish the sense of sin’s ugliness. Here is something directly opposed to the Divine nature which has been implanted within me. Here is something which prevents and interrupts my obedience to the Divine will. Here is something which breaks my fellowship with my Divine Friend. Ah! sin is hateful and loathsome. I would cherish, too, the sense of my helplessness when it confronts me. With all the knowledge I have gained of Christ, with all the love I feel for Him, with all the zeal I throw into His service, I cannot rid myself of His adversary and mine. So my heart is humbled and broken. Yet One there is Who can roll the strangling load from me. I praise God for Him.’