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WHEN�THE BIBLE IS MISQUOTED Psalm 51:12 TONY LLOYD LEWIS � This morning I want to preach from one of the most often misquoted verses in the whole of the Bible, Psalm 51:12. It is often misquoted simply because of a cursory reading of the verse. We do it rapidly and superficially not out of any malicious or deviant intent but simply because what we have heard that it meant and not read what it meant carefully for ourselves. � It is part and parcel of that Psalm that was written after Nathan the prophet had come to inform David of God's judgment against him because of his adultery with Bathsheba, and his murder of Uriah, her husband. � David begins this 51ST Psalm by crying out . . . "Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. � Wash me throughly 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 in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. (Psalm 51:1-4) � Now notice what our text says. In verse 12 " Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit." What it does not say, is restore unto me the joy of my salvation. To read and quote it that way would be a misquote, a misread and a misunderstand the thought and intent of the text. � According to the text Salvation belongs to God. We are just blessed to experience the joy of it as long as we are walking in obedience and submission tom His Will. When are walking in obedience to His Will and His Word . . . Here is how the Psalmist describes that experience. "More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb." Ps 19:10 � However, if we are walking in disobedience that same David says . . . "There is no soundness in my flesh because of thine anger; neither is there any rest in my bones because of my sin."Psalms 38:3 � He laments over the sufferings by the chastening hand of God for his sin. The wages of sin have cost him his health and the soundness of his bones. The painful and debilitating sickness had made his way to his bones. � Now for Those of You Who Are Taking Note, I Want Emphasis the Following Points The Historical Background of David. He Made Flesh His Arm, after a Few Victories under Our Belt and Few of the Creature Comforts of Life We Have a Tendency to Become at Ease in Zion. Being Disobedient, it. Was the Time of Year When Kings Go Forth to Battle but David Stayed Home. He Was out of Place. He Gave into the Laid Back Lifestyle, Lying in Bed in the Evening; He Allowed His Eyes to Wander and Gave into the Fire in His Loins. ? In order for us to get a clearer understanding of this Psalm of penitence on the part of David I want to invite you to walk with me back through the corridors of time and zoom our spiritual cameras in on this husband of Bathsheba. � The Historical Background of David . . . A man ordained of God to be king . . . a man with a deep profound love for God. In addition to being the sweet Psalmist of Israel, ? He was the slayer of Goliath He was the lion of Judah He was the son of Jesse He was the shepherd boy of Israel He was the anointed of God He was a man after God's own heart. (Acts 13:22) He was the man Clarence McCartney refers to as the greatest sinner and the greatest saint in the Old Testament. While we are here back in the corridors of time, let's have a brief conversion with David. At the writing of this psalm, he had been walking with God for a long time. ? Let's ask him a few questions. David, don't you remember way back when you were just a boy that old man Samuel the prophet came by your father Jesse's house. Samuel told your father that God sent me to anoint one your sons to be the next king of Israel. The first thing your daddy did was sent for your oldest brother Abinadab . . . he came walking down the road. ? He walked like a king He talked like a king He was built just a king but, ? When Samuel tried to pour the oil on his head it would not run. Don't you remember David, Your father then sent for your second oldest brother Shammas. He came down the road just like the one before him. ? He too walked like a king. He too talked like a king. He too was built like a king. He had a kingly disposition. He had a kingly manner about him. He had kingly shoulders and He had a kingly look on his face ? You remember how the old prophet got excited, "Oh yeah this must be the one!" But, God told him "Man looketh on the outward appearance but, God looketh on the heart." The oil would not pour on him either � But, when you came along . . . You didn't walk like a king. You didn't talk like a king. You didn't even smell like a king. You smelled like a shepherd boy but, when Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed you in the midst of your brethren: and the Spirit of the Lord came upon you from that day forward. The old prophet's job was done and he headed for the hills of Ramah. � David while we still got you on the line, you remember when you were about 12 years old tending sheep and a lion grabbed one of your lambs and God gave you the strength to rescue that sheep and slay that lion with your bare hands. � When a bear got hold to another one of your lambs and once again God gave you the strength to open the jaws of the bear, rescue the sheep and then slay the bear with no weapon in your hands. � You remember how God gave you the strength to slay that giant Goliath who was terrorizing the armies of Israel. � You remember how you boldly spoke up and said " . . . for who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?" 1 Sam 17:b26. It was just you, a slingshot and the living God. � And after all of this . . . after all of these marvelous and miraculous deeds God has brought you through. Here he is succumbing to the passion in your bones And after all of this . . . this marvelous track record with God he gives in to the passion in his loins. � How Did it Happen . . . How Did David Lose the Joy of God's Salvation. I believe that the first step that David took in losing the joy of God's salvation was being out of position. In II Samuel 11, we learn that " . . . after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem." � He was out of position. When he should have been abroad with his army in the field, fighting the battles of the Lord, he delegates that which he should handle himself. And he himself tarried still at Jerusalem. � The next step in losing the joy of God's salvation is that he became at ease in Zion. He came off his bed at evening-tide. He no longer rises early in the morning to praise God on his harp, but now that he no longer lives in the caves and dens of the earth, he sleeps late. � He has been blessed with the throne of Israel. He life is no longer living on the edge, being a soldier of fortune. ? Their line of communication to heaven is now broken down. Their line of communication to heaven is now filled with debauchery and disgrace. Their line of communication to heaven is now filled withcomplacency and easiness. Their line of communication to heaven is now filled with fatness and fullness. ? The late Dr. E. K. Bailey use to say that God takes an awful chance when He blesses some of us. There are those who as long as they have just a few of the creature comforts of life keep close to the church and the Throne of God. As long they are troubled by arthritis, rheumatism, and a few more aches and pains they are prayerful and pious, but as soon as they are free of aches and pains and a few suits and shoes in the closet, they find other places to go rather than the church. � In his state of affairs as king of Israel, David piety had become impotent and lax. He opened door for other things to enter his life. � The joy of God's salvation was replaced by a wandering eye. He saw a woman washing herself. Men normally get attracted to what they see and women to what they hear. It is no accident that the fairer sex dresses to appeal to the eye of a man. Women on the other want to hear . . . they initially want to have conversation from the male of the species. Why do you think you never hear the phrase whispering sweet nothings in a man's ear? � The next step downward for David was give into the fire of his loins. He enquired who she was. The Bible says, "And David sent and inquired after the woman. And one said, Is not this Bath-sheba, the daughter of Eliam, the wife of Uriah the Hittite?" 2 Sam 11:3 � Finding out who she was and that she was a married woman, he disregarded the report. He sent messengers to get her; and when she came to the palace, he slept with her. � The fruit of his night of passion begins to become evident. Bathsheba sends word that she is with child. � And Now Begins the Magnificent Cover-up William Shakespeare said, "O what tangle web we weave when first we practice to deceive. He proceeds to try and deceive and trick Bathsheba's husband, Uriah the Hittite. Uriah the Hittite, Note, not Uriah the Israelite. He is a foreigner from Mesopotamia, the land between two rivers, (Tigris and Euphrates) the Hittites were skilled in the science of metallurgy. They also made the Rolls Royce of chariots. � Uriah had embraced Judaism, committed himself to the worship of Yahweh and pledged his loyalty and allegiance to David. � David orders him home from a tour of duty, then invites him to the king's table. David sends him home to spend time with his wife but he being a noble, just, courageous man of virtue and principles refusing to enjoy his home while his fellow soldiers are on the battle field. � The letter to Joab, the general. Put him at the forefront of the battle and pull back. Bathsheba's husband was slain in the battle. � David thought he had gotten away . . . but Nathan the prophet calls him on the carpet. The preacher having more fear of God than fear of David, told him "Thou art the man. You are the man who has committed this great and grave sin against God. � David unlike so many owned up to his sin and so hungered for restoration that he cried out . . . Restore to me again the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you." (TLB)Ps 51:12 � Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. (KJV) Ps. 51:12