Romans 3 is the perfect set up for Psalm 51 . . . the doctrine of Paul’s letter being the perfect back drop for entering into the desperation and deliverance recorded in David’s song. In Romans 3 we understand the problem of sin . . . in Psalm 51 we experience the pain of sin. In Romans 3 we are taught that there is a righteousness to be received by faith . . . in Psalm 51 we see modeled the manner in which such faith is exercised. In Romans 3 we have explained the salvation which results in justification . . . in Psalm 51, we see the dynamics of this salvation which results in joy. One is the foundation . . . the other is the realization. One is tell’t . . . the other, felt. One is the main dish . . . the other, the dessert. And together they are a full course meal.

“None is righteous, no, not one; no one understands; no one seeks for God . . . no one does good, not even one . . . for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:10-12, 23). There it is . . . the problem . . . a big, big, problem! Sin is part of the human DNA . . . and sin separates. David knew it . . . up close and personal . . . “For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against You, You only, have I sinned and done what is evil in Your sight . . . Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me” (Ps. 51:3-5).

Sin is not just some doctrine to be understood . . . but a desperation to be experienced. It is the problem that drives one to seek the solution. “Have mercy on me, O God . . . blot out my transgressions . . . wash me thoroughly from my iniquity . . . cleanse me from my sin . . . create in me a clean heart . . . deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God!” (Ps. 51:1-2, 9-10). Spend any time lingering over David’s song, written after his adultery with Bathsheba was exposed, and you can just sense the oppression of sin . . . the anguish of separation . . . and the desperation to know again the joy of salvation. If you were to put music to these lyrics it would be in minor chords . . . a dirge . . . slow and pensive . . . blues to the nth degree. There is no sacrifice to offer for such failure save “a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise” (Ps. 51:16-17).

“But now” . . . O’ glorious word, “But”!!! . . . “But now the righteousness of God has been manifested apart from the law . . . the righteousness of God through faith in Jesus Christ for all who believe . . . justified by His grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus . . . so that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus” (Rom. 3:21-26). Yes!!! The ground upon which God hears the sinner’s plea . . . the work upon which God bridges the gap and makes way for the sinner to enter His sanctuary. Christ was put forward as a propitiation, or atoning sacrifice, by His blood, to be received by faith (Rom. 3:25) . . . and for those who have faith in Jesus, there is forgiveness, and justification — declared righteous in Christ.

This is the basis upon which David might presume to know cleansing for such terrible transgression. It is the work that opens heaven’s ears to David’s cry, “Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from Your presence, and take not Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit” (Ps. 51:11-12).

And the grand doctrine of justification through faith becomes the song of the redeemed . . . “my tongue will sing aloud of Your righteousness. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise” (Ps. 51:14b,-15). It’s not just some theology to noodle over, it is a reality to enter into . . . not to be sliced and diced and debated ad nauseam, but to be experienced . . . the cleansing to be known . . . the guilt to be gone . . . the praises to be sung.

Yup, read these two passages of Scripture together and it’s a pretty powerful one-two punch . . . Romans 3, the sufficiency of the blood of Jesus to declare the sinner righteous . . . and Psalm 51, the work of the cross in action . . . the blood applied through confession and repentance . . . cleansing realized through contriteness . . . joy restored because of justification . . . together, they really are a full course meal. Amen?