View source for The photograph of a contrite heart

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<p>"Save me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, the God of my salvation—and my tongue will sing aloud of Your righteousness." Psalm 51:14<br>
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  In this <em>SOLEMN CONFESSION</em>—it is pleasing to observe that David plainly names his sin. He does not call it man-slaughter, nor speak of it as an imprudence by which an <em>unfortunate accident</em> occurred to a worthy man—but he calls it by its true name, the <em>guilt of bloodshed</em>. He did not actually kill the husband of Bathsheba; but still it was planned in David's heart that Uriah should be slain—and he was his murderer, before the Lord. <br>
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  Learn in confession—to be <em>honest </em>with God. Do not give <em>fair names </em>to <em>foul sins</em>. Call them what you will—they will smell no sweeter. What God <em>sees</em>them to be, that you must labour to <em>feel </em>them to be; and with all openness of heart, acknowledge their real character. <br>
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  Observe, that David was evidently oppressed with the heinousness of his sin. It is easy to use <em>words</em>—but it is difficult to <em>feel </em>their meaning. The fifty-first Psalm is <strong>the photograph of a contrite heart</strong>. Let us seek after the same brokenness of heart; for however excellent our words may be, if our heart is not conscious of the hell-deservingness of sin—we cannot expect to find forgiveness. <br>
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  Our text has in it <em>AN EARNEST PRAYER</em>—it is addressed to the God of salvation. It is His prerogative to forgive; it is His very name and office to save those who seek His face. Better still, the text calls Him the God of my salvation. Yes, blessed be His name, while I am yet going to Him through Jesus' blood, I can rejoice in the God of my salvation. <br>
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  The psalmist ends with <em>A COMMENDABLE VOW</em>—if God will deliver him, he will sing—nay, more, he will "sing aloud." Who can sing in any other style—of such a mercy as this! <br>
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  But note the <em>SUBJECT </em>of the song, "Your Righteousness." We must sing of the finished work of a precious Saviour; and he who knows most of forgiving love—will sing the loudest!
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