David is described as “the sweet psalmist of Israel.” (2 Samuel 23:1). Most of the book of Psalms is attributed to him. They are called psalms or songs. (Psalm 28:7; or entitled “a psalm of David.”). These songs were numbered. (Acts 1:20; 13:33). Some of the psalms were historical (Psalm 78; 105; 106), some prayers of thanksgiving (Psalm 107), supplicatory (Psalm 22; 28), instructive (Psalm 23), prophetic (Psalm 2), calls for praise (Psalm 111-113), and so much more.
Psalms and/or songs were, and are, to be expressions of one’s joy in the Lord. Psalm 95:1, 2, say, “O come, let us sing unto the Lord: let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.” All with thankful hearts are to “give thanks unto the Lord; call upon his name: and make known his deeds among the people. Sing unto him, sing psalms unto him: talk ye of all his wondrous works.” (Psalm 105:1, 2). Verse 3 says, “Glory ye in his holy name: let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord.” The verses that follow reveal why one should rejoice and sing unto the Lord.
The New Testament admonishes Christians, “Is any among you merry? Let him sing psalms.” (James 5:13). Paul said, “I will sing with the spirit, and I will sing with the understanding also.” (1 Corinthians 14:15). The beloved apostle and Silas “prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them” at midnight, even when imprisoned at Philippi. (Acts 16:12, 25). Their actions and teaching led to the conversion of the jailor. (Acts 16:30-34).
Singing will be a part of heaven’s experience. (Revelation 5:9; 14:3). It was a part of Jesus’ life. Matthew 26:30). It was a part of the first century church’s worship (Hebrews 2:12) at Ephesus (Ephesians 5:19) and Colosse. (Colossians 3:16). Paul told the saints at Rome (Romans 1:1, 7), “I will sing unto thy name.” (Romans 15:9). What a wonderful thing it is to express one’s joy alone, and with other saints, “teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts unto the Lord.” (Colossians 3:16; Ephesians 5:19).
David must have known and experienced all of this. At least, each and all of the psalms he wrote suggest such. However, there was a time when David looked upon a woman to lust after her, called for her, committed adultery with her, and had her innocent, valiant and good husband killed in an attempt to cover up the sin. (2 Samuel 11). “But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord.” (2 Samuel 11:27). So will one’s sin(s) today.
The consequences of David’s sins are seen in chapter 12. The kingdom would be taken from him. His child would lay sick and die, bringing him misery. Although he had Uriah killed secretly, his sin would be manifest before all Israel. The sweet singer/psalmist of Israel would suffer much for his transgressions. “The pleasures of sin” are indeed, temporary, that is, “for a season.” (Hebrews 11:25). Sin steals one’s joy.
David would cry unto the Lord, “Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil thing in thy sight: that thou mightiest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Make me to hear joy and gladness that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.” (Psalm 51:1-15). These few feelings of David were used by the Holy Spirit (2 Peter 1:20, 21) to show the impact sin had on his life and work. Also seen is what God requires of sinners to be restored unto their first love. David had lost the joy of his salvation. That loss of joy also impacted his zeal to teach the lost. David knew where to go to have that joy restored, and David without reservations or hesitation turned to the Lord his God for a clean heart and renewed joy.
The sweet singer, psalmist of Israel was full of melodies which he penned and sang. However, sin destroyed his joy and great work for a season, until he was brought to his knees by Nathan’s story. (2 Samuel 12:1ff). His sin was ever, always before him. He could not get the sins he had committed out of his mind. Only repentance, confession, and a plea to God for forgiveness could restore unto him the joy of his salvation. Is it any wonder that God said of David, “I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after mine own heart, which shall fulfill all my will”? (Acts 13:22). There is a great need for more people like David, who will truly repent when they sin!
What about you, dear reader? Have you sinned as an obedient believer in God as did David? Have you been saved as did the Simon the sorcerer, who believed and was baptized to be saved (Acts 8:13; Mark 16:16), but who sinned (Acts 8:18-21), and was told to repent and pray (Acts 8:22-23; James 5:16). This he immediately did. (Acts 8:24). Those who have been saved are not sinless. (1 John 1:7-9; 2:1-3). At times Christians are weak, sin, and are in need of repentance.
Have you lost the joy of your salvation? Do you need cleansing of some sin(s) so that you may once again enjoy the salvation that you enjoyed in the Lord? Do you need to return unto your first love? (Revelation 2:5). God will restore you to the joy and happiness you once knew if you will repent. Recall the day when, upon your faith you repented and confessed Jesus as the Son of God (Acts 8:36, 37; Acts 17:30, 31), you put on Christ by being baptized into (buried or immersed with) Christ, when you came up out of the water. (Acts 8:38, 39). There was rejoicing. (Acts 8:39). If you have lost that joy by being deceived by sin and again being brought under the grips of sin, losing the joy of your salvation, Jesus is still there to restore that joy, happiness. “The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness, but is longsuffering to usward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” (2 Peter 3:9). That is true, whether you be a child of God or one who has never been saved. The Lord will give joy or restore joy to any and all who need it. Will you call upon His holy name this day by doing His blessed will that you may begin your journey of happiness in Him, or that you may have the joy of His great salvation restored?
Today, right now, get in touch with the one who gave you this tract, or contact the one whose name is at the bottom of this tract to help you in any way possible. If you are an accountable young person, obey God in youth. (Ecclesiastes 12:1ff). If you are already past youth, do not delay any longer, but obey God today. If you are an older person, do not go into eternity without obeying God. Please take care of this today. Cf. Hebrews 3:7, 13, 15; 4:7; 2 Corinthians 6:2; Acts 2:37-41, 47.
It Is Written 