Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation

Introduction:


Psalms 51:12,13 says,"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."

So many today in churches all across America have lost their joy and are not ready to admit it has happened. The good news I bear is that joy can be restored. The word "restore" itself implies that it is something that the Psalmist once had and needed to
recover. To "restore" can mean "to bring back into a normal or former condition." When one restores an old automobile, it means the owner seeks to bring the automobile back as close as is possible, to what it was when it was new.

Let’s look at several things in regard to the restoration of joy. He does not ask God to return his salvation, for he never lost it, but rather his request is for joy. The Christian who has lost his joy is a pitiful sight..

We can see

Notice:

1. The Repentant Response (vss 1-6)

(Psalms 51:1-6) " Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. {2} Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. {3} For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. {4} 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. {5} Behold, I was shapen in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. {6} Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom."

A. Brags on the Lord

(Psalms 51:1) "Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions."

B. Confessed his sin.

(Psalms 51:1-4) "Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. {2} Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. {3} For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. {4} 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.

1. Was confronted with sin.

2. Came to himself.

2. The Request For Restoration (Vs 12)

(Psalms 51:12) "Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit."

A. No one ever recovers lost joy until there is a request for its return.

B. Note several things about this request.

1. It is earnest

a. He meant business with God, crying out of desperation.

2. It is expectant.

a. He would never asked God to restore his joy if he did not believe that God would do it.

3. It is expressive.

a. The Psalmist knew his joy was gone.

b. He did not deny the reality of his condition.

c. It expresses what the Psalmist knew about his inner life.

3. The Reasons For The Request

A. Why did the Psalmist ask the Lord to restore his joy?

1. Sin and disobedience had run its course in David’s life through his sin with Bathsheba, who was the wife of Uriah the Hittite.


2. Rebellion, adultery and murder had caused tremendous problems in the life of the Psalmist.

3. He was tired of sin and its consequences.