Psalm 51 Confession

David's Psalm has focused on his situation and God's remedy. He admitted his crime and sin and asked for forgiveness. He wanted to make sure that he has not missed anything. Verse 14
    Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation;
He had committed a crime against Uriah. It was too late to confess to his loyal warrior, but it was not too late to confess to the Lord. It never is. And out of those ashes, comes praise.
    Then my tongue will joyfully sing of Your righteousness. 15  O Lord, open my lips, That my mouth may declare Your praise.

The same lips that lied to Uriah and directed Joab to place him at the front in the heat of battle, are now dedicated to singing and praising. "Sing of righteousness" and "declare praise." We read of the "sacrifice of praise" in Hebrews 13:15
     Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name.

Note the parallel. The mouth that was murderous and conniving is now singing of righteousness, praise, thankfulness. This is a transformation, a new creation. Did it cost him a lot? Evidently it did. The next verses outline the real price.
    16  For You do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it; You are not pleased with burnt offering.

It is almost as if David is saying that the sacrifice of a possession, regardless of the cost and how precious, is not sufficient. Verse 17 sums it up for us.
    The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.
A broken spirit and contrite heart are far more expensive for us and treasured by the Lord. David is the guy who declared that he would not offer a sacrifice to God that did not cost him anything. (2 Samuel 2:24) And for David, being broken in spirit and heart were far more costly than a goat or a bull. He made a true sacrifice.

Dropping a check in the offering plate, regardless of its size, does not please the Lord. The "burnt offering" He desires is our prideful will, going up in flames on the altar. If you want a good study, type "pride" into BibleGateway. I got 46 references in NASB.

Only six of them were positive, and they were Paul, bragging about the faith of his churches. Pride can be good when aimed at someone else, But, like a pistol, it is deadly when pointed at the holder.

David's pride was broken. It is just too bad that the lesson was not passed to his sons. Solomon did okay at first, but then it crept in. But that is another story. Revel in David's victory today. "A broken and a contrite heart," will not be despised.

It started with recognition of his state and concluded with his confession. R and C is refreshing in both soft drinks and spiritual life. Thanks be to God's Name.