Main idea: Repentance is a casting of oneself upon the loving mercy of God, humbly and wholly confessing one’s sin against God, in desperate longing to be reconciled with God, and in firm resolve to give glory to God.
Outline:
- A repentant heart casts itself upon God’s loving mercy (Psalm 51:1-2)
- A repentant heart humbly and wholly confesses sin (Psalm 51:3-6)
- A repentant heart desperately longs for reconciliation (Psalm 51:7-12)
- A repentant heart firmly resolves to seek God’s glory (Psalm 51:13-19)
Secondary sources cited:
- Martin Luther, 95 Theses, originally written in 1517, https://www.luther.de/en/95thesen.html.
- Augustus Toplady, “Rock of Ages,” originally written in 1776.
- John Calvin, Institutes of the Christian Religion, I.11.8.