Psalm 51:8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which you have broken may rejoice. I. A MAN'S .SINS ARE HIS IN A SENSE THAT CANNOT BE AFFIRMED OF ANYTHING ELSE HE CALLS HIS OWN. They are — 1. Generated by himself. He is the parent, they are his offspring. 2. Like himself. A sinful act is an outward expression of the unseen mind and heart. Hence we affirm he is — 3. Himself chargeable with the conesequences. II. A MAN WHO IS GUILTY OF SIN IS EVER ANNOYED BY AN ENEMY WHO CONFRONTS HIM. This is — 1. A grim fact. Illustrated by the upbraidings of conscience; the unbidden recollections of the past; the tyranny of habit; the force of example. This may be, to say the least of it, a source of — 2. Unrest for the present. It is torture for a man to be compelled to face his sins in this way, but it maybe a decided — 3. Advantage in the future. It makes a man feels his individual responsibility, and induces him to be reconciled to God. III. THE STRENGTH OF A MAN'S SIN CANNOT BE DESTROYED UNLESS HE WILL COMPLY WITH THE CONDITIONS OF DIVINE SALVATION. 1. Confession. 2. Abandonment of sin. 3. Trust in Christ. His mission is " to put away sin." (R. Hebron.) Parallel Verses KJV: Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.WEB: Let me hear joy and gladness, That the bones which you have broken may rejoice. |