Please explain Psalms 51.

In Acts 13:22, the Apostle Paul declares David was "a man after [God's] own heart" (Acts 13:22).

When David became Israel's reigning king, he obeyed God, "and he became more and more powerful, because the LORD God Almighty was with him."  (2 Samuel 5:3,4,10)  However, one spring evening David saw the naked Bathsheba, wife of Uriah, and lusted after her.  David should never have acted on his lust, but he let his fleshly wishes overpower his righteous heart.  Soon he committed adultery and conceived a baby with Bathsheba. As a cover-up, he arranged for Uriah's certain death on the battlefield.

Thus David was guilty of adultery and murder. To address these sins, God sent the prophet Nathan to confront David. The confrontation is recorded in 2 Samuel 12. David suddenly felt the full horror of his deeds.

Psalm 51 records the process of David’s repentance and subsequent restoration to fellowship with God. In a broader application, this psalm was written for our benefit, as well. Psalm 51 teaches us that even when we may commit terrible sins, these verses provide comfort and instruction for how to recover our relationship with our Heavenly Father.

In verses 1-4 David confesses his sin and begs for God's mercy. He knows God is a God of forgiveness and love. By acknowledging our sins, we develop a deeper, more heartfelt appreciation of God’s righteous judgments.

In verses 5 and 6, David acknowledges he was “sinful from the time my mother conceived me."  But he also recognizes God will teach him truth and wisdom.

Verses 7, 8, 9 –  The hyssop referred to in verse 7 was used in ceremonial cleansing (Leviticus 14:4), and the plant was known to have antiseptic properties.  David saw  sin’s contamination and wanted it washed away completely.  He refers to how the realization of his sin weighed on him so much, that he felt "crushed" and now begs for God's returned favor to lift that weight and give him "joy and gladness."

Then David sees that he must reconfirm his complete devotion to God, and he cries out, "Create in me a pure heart, O God."  He asks for a renewed, steadfast spirit, and the joy of the LORD to sustain him.  (Verses 10-12)

In verses 13-15, David acknowledges that God is his only salvation, and he desires to tell others about God’s grace and love.

Verses 16 and 17 are vital to all who want to please God.  Our Father is not interested in ceremonies performed only out of duty; what God wants is "a broken spirit, a broken and contrite heart."  This means we must give up trying to justify ourselves; we must realize that we can't be righteous in our own strength.  We must rely completely on God's grace (which in this age means accepting the sacrifice of Jesus on our behalf).  And then we must fully accept God's forgiveness and love, and lean on His mighty power to help us follow His Son.

On which mountain did Moses receive the Ten Commandments?

Most people are unaware that little evidence supports “Mt. Sinai” in the Sinai Peninsula as the famed mountain of Exodus. Several recent popularizations on the subject have suggested an alternate site of Jabal al-Lawz, or Mt. Musa (Moses) in Saudi Arabia. Local Arab tradition upholds this as the site for the giving of the law. Unfortunately, many of those popularizing this location offer little scholarly research to support their views. Yet, there are some excellent scholars who agree with this location and have published their findings. The eminent Orientalist, Professor James B. Pritchard writes:

“The location of Mt. Sinai, or Mt. Horeb… is a particular problem and over a dozen sites have been proposed for it.  Much of the evidence used in the discussion is insufficiently precise for the purpose (e.g. volcanic features in Exodus 19 …need not imply that Mt. Sinai was actually a volcano and therefore located in north-west Arabia) and some of it perhaps relates to a distinct “mountain of God” (Exodus 3:1; 4:27; 18:5) rather than to Sinai.  The clearest evidence is found in Deuteronomy 1:2 It is eleven days journey from Horeb by way of Mt. Seir to Kadesh-Barnea.  This points to the South of the Sinai Peninsula … or less likely to a mountain east of the gulf of Aqaba.” (Atlas of the Bible, Harper Collins ,1987)

Again from the scholarly community, Hershel Shanks, editor of the Biblical Archaeological Review says, “Jabal al-Lawz is the most likely site for Mount Sinai, but we need a serious archeological investigation.” (Religion: On the Trail of the Real Mount Sinai, Newsweek, February 23, 1998)

The Apostle Paul writes “Mt. Sinai [is] in Arabia.”  (Galatians 4:25)  But this is still very general. In the Apostle’s day, the entire Roman frontier, including most of the Sinai Peninsula, was “Arabia”. The named “Arabia” extended over the entire country, which we now call Saudi Arabia. 

But if “Arabia” is a broad term, “Midian” is much more specific. “Midian” is the area of northwest Saudi Arabia and is part of southern Jordan.  During Moses’ forty years of exile, Moses and his wife Zipporah lived in Midian and kept the flocks of Jethro his father-in-law. There he also helped Jethro’s daughters water the sheep. (Exodus 2:16-19). 

Exodus 3:1 tells the story of Moses shepherding the flock of Jethro: “so he led forth his flock behind the desert”. Then at the Burning Bush – presumably in Midian, God called Moses.  However, please observe that in Exodus 18:5,27, Jethro met with Moses in the wilderness at the mount of God, but then “went his way (returned) into his own land (Midian).”  Hence, there must have been at least some separation between Jethro’s principal residence and the sacred Mount. (See also Numbers 10:29-30,33.) 

How can I be fruitful according to Matthew 13?

Jesus teaches the parable of the sower in Matthew 13:3-23.  In this parable, soil quality represents heart condition.  If the good seed (gospel /Kingdom message) falls on good ground (an honest, humble heart), it will bear much fruit (a Christ-like character).  “…the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, meekness, self-control…” (Galatians 5:22-23 ASV).

God may allow, not cause, the plowing up of the soil (heart) by allowing difficult experiences to humble a person. This prepares that one to receive the gospel with the goal of bearing spiritual fruit.  “…get rid of all moral filth and…evil…humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.” (James 1:21 NIV). In addition to God’s loving efforts on our behalf, we are responsible for actively maintaining pure thoughts and refusing to dwell on impure thoughts.  It benefits us to avoid tempting sinful environments. “Keep thy heart with all diligence; for out of it are the issues of life.” (Proverbs 4:23 KJV).  Philippians 2:12 (ASV)states “… work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”

We should study the holy scriptures daily, applying the lessons to all areas of our lives.  “…blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.” (Luke 11:28 ASV). See also 2 Timothy 3:16.

We may freely serve God, our brethren, and fellowmen. “…God loves a cheerful giver.” (2 Corinthians 9:7 KJV). The heavenly Father expects us to lovingly serve our brethren, even those that seem to show us less warmth. “…let us do good unto all men, especially unto…the household of faith.”  (Galatians 6:10 KJV).

Developing perfect love is essential to entering the kingdom. By meeting with other Christians, we assist and encourage one another in spiritual goals (see Hebrews 10:25).   If we are willing, God will work in us, giving us desire, strength and ability to do His good pleasure (Philippians 2:13).   

We must pray continually (1 Thessalonians 5:17).   A constant trusting connection to Jehovah is vital to spiritual health and peace (see Isaiah 26:3).    

Although we try desperately to do good God’s will, sometimes we will fail, but  “…a righteous man falls seven times, and rises up again…” (Proverbs 24:16)

If possible, for our part, we should live peacefully with all (see Romans 12:18). “Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.”  (Hebrews 12:14 KJV).  And remember Jesus instructs us in Matthew 6:15 to forgive others just as God forgives us.

This is how we can be fruitful.