We all know the narrative when David committed adultery with Bathsheba and having her husband Urriah killed in order to cover it up. Later, we see Nathan the prophet confronting David about his sin to which David admitted his sin and asked God for forgiveness. David inspired by the Holy Spirit will later make a song of confession which is now known as Psalm 51.
Psalm 51 has been preached probably more than any other Psalm with the exception of the 23rd Psalm. Matt Boswell is one who has preached Psalm 51 and has written a new book based on those sermons. The book is titled Create in Me a Clean Heart: Experiencing God's Abundant Mercy in Psalm 51.
This book is divided in four parts based on the Psalm with three chapters written for each of them. Boswell begins with the circumstances as to why this Psalm was written which for most Psalms, we are not sure of the context. Boswell addresses God's heart towards the sinner and how we respond to sin along with what is true repentance.
One thing that Boswell mentions in the book which hardly anyone thinks about is what David asks God to create in him a clean heart in verse 10. Most Christians are not aware that the same word for create is also used back in Genesis 1 when God said created the heavens and the earth. In this context is it not a brand-new physical heart, but one that is clean before God and one that is not desperately sick (Jeremiah 17:9) yet one that we must guard for it is the wellspring of life (Proverbs 4:23).
This book is an excellent collection of writings on the 51st Psalm that will indeed edify the body of Christ. Suitable for small group or private study. It can also be beneficial for sermon preparation.
I received this book from Crossway in exchange for an honest review.
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