Sometimes we may say or do that which is like a poisonous gas leaked out from an unchecked, unclean inner self. We may try to be good and exercise faith when this unknown region can make any of us diminish our worth and be a serious handicap to living.
Psalm 51 depicts a man caught in his own vices later begging God for forgiveness. Hidden within his dark depths is a craving for carnal satisfaction that when empowered is measured by God as wicked. King David had fabulous wealth, many wives and many concubines yet his eye caught the beauty of a neighbor’s wife. Ultimately, he committed adultery followed by an executed plan to murder her current husband. He thought he got away with his sinful plots. Then God sent a prophet named Nathan to reveal that God was fully aware of his sin.
This Psalm speaks to all of us because there are none of us who have not committed sin. There is none of us the God is willing to be blind to our sin. There are none of us that have explored our own secret inner life thoroughly, routinely. In trying to serve God, we may have hope for change. We may have hope that God will enable the change. Certainly, it is true that we could have a better life in store from a change by God.
What is stated in this text? The repentant sinner is asking God to search him because he cannot save himself. He needs to be searched in his outer and his inner life. The Holy Spirit is a witness to us that we can plainly know if we are backslidden into some sin. And the writer of this text asks God to try him which is more aptly put to keep on trying him. This is important because man cannot strengthen or purify himself. Included in this purification from God as a hope for a chance to serve God better.
Our thoughts become actions. He asked God to lead him and cleanse which means to keep on leading and cleansing him. All of us are unsure of the correct way to go even though Jesus has warned us to walk the narrow path. Any of us can choose the wicked way which is grief and hurt. Or we can choose the everlasting good way that works. Our goal is to walk as much as possible on the narrow way.
With sin all around us appealing to our weaknesses, we have put ourselves in a place of dangerous consequences. We can excuse ourselves but by rationalization trying to lessen our guilt. David knew that if he did not deal with his guilt, it could gain mastery over him. He had to be checked. He had to have a constant awareness to be careful against sinful temptation. God calls down from heaven to us asking that we go the way that is “higher than I.” Only he who admits that he lives in a state of uncertainly by his own power can gain the strength of God. David aptly puts this desire in Psalm 139: 23, 24.
A beautiful song has been written about this part of David’s life that we need to apply to ourselves:
Christian Writer 