Psalms of Summer – Week 8
June 21, 2026
Have Mercy
Pastor Ricky Smith
Sermon Notes
Psalm 51
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! 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, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice. Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. 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. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. Do good to Zion in your good pleasure; build up the walls of Jerusalem; then will you delight in right sacrifices, in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on your altar.
I. Come to God with Nothing But Your Sin
True repentance begins when we stop appealing to ourselves and start appealing to God.
II. Trust God to Do What Only God Can Do
Sin promises joy, but it steals joy.
III. Let Your Restoration Become Someone Else’s Hope
Mission does not earn mercy. Mercy produces mission.
Next Steps
- I confess my sin and turn to Jesus as King for the first time.
- I confess to hidden sin, and today I take the bandage off by naming my sin.
- I commit to show grace to those who sin differently than I do.
Deep Dive
- Read Ezekiel 36:26-27. How does this promise connect with David’s prayer in Psalm 51:10?
- Read John 21:15-17. How does Peter’s restoration help us understand Psalm 51:13 and the way mercy produces mission?
- How can Calvary become a safer place for honest confession, gentle restoration, and gospel-centered hope?
Springboard
- What are some common family stories that are repeated in your home? Why does that matter?
- Read Psalm 78:4. What are some ways Christians can unintentionally hide God’s works from the next generation?
- Read Psalm 78:7, which says the goal is that the next generation “should set their hope in God.” How is that different from merely teaching children moral behavior?
