LOVINGKINDNESS AND TENDER MERCIES

The earnest cry in David’s opening words, “Have mercy upon me, O God” is based on an appeal to two divine attributes, (i) “according to thy lovingkindness”, (ii) “according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies”. Lovingkindness means steadfast love. David’s appeal may have been encouraged by his knowledge of the revelation which God gave of Himself in answer to Moses’ request, “I beseech thee, show me thy glory”, Exod. 33. 18. We read that, “the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin”, 34. 6, 7.

If God kept mercy for thousands, could not He spare some for David? If He was a forgiving God, might He not forgive David? The king was thus claiming a personal share in the blessings which God Himself declared to be part of His attributes.

“Mercy” and “mercies”, v. 1, translate two different Hebrew words, the first of which means, “the gracious favour of the superior to the inferior, all undeserved”, while the second involves love’s “compassion and pity”. We should notice also the three pairs of words by which David describes his evil conduct, and by which he pleads with God to remove his guilt, vv. 1, 2. Maclaren distinguishes the first three words thus: “Transgression” is literally rebellion; “iniquity”, that which is twisted or bent; “sin”, missing a mark. A. G. Clarke is especially helpful: Sin is here regarded as (a) a blotted record to be expunged; (b) a polluted robe to be washed; (c) a fatal disease to be cured. It is “transgression” = law violated; “iniquity” = morals perverted; “sin” = mark missed.

Notice the intensely personal note in these verses, for David is having dealings with God about his own guilt; thus he speaks of “my transgressions”, “mine iniquity”, “my sin”.

Verse 4 is surprising at first, “Against thee, thee only, have I sinned”. Not against Bathsheba, Uriah and Joab. In a secondary sense, certainly; but primarily all sin is against God our Maker, to whom men are finally accountable.

“The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin”, 1 John 1. 7.