Psalm 51:2

Psalm 51:2

Cleanse me from my sin

Washing was a big part of the daily routine, as well as the annual rituals at the Tabernacle / Temple. Whilst animals and birds were offered as sacrifices for sin and as thank offerings to God on behalf of the people, there were many occasions when the priests had to pay particular attention to their own cleanliness. Implements used in the ceremonial duties had to be washed. The priest himself had to be washed. His clothes had to be washed. The altar had to be cleansed by blood. Then there were the routine washes required if an ordinary Israelite touched unclean objects or dead bodies. The ritual cleansing process was a big part of Jewish worship. 

One of the most carefully observed washing ceremonies involved the Brass Laver or “The Sea” as it was also called. Before any priest could enter the Holy Place that housed the Table of Shewbread, the Menorah and the Altar of Incense, he must wash at the Laver. There was a difference therefore between the cleansing of the blood of sacrifice and the washing with water before entering the presence of the Lord God. All of these processes were hugely important and were actively performed day after day. So, when David speaks of having his iniquities washed away and of being cleansed from his sin, he is basing his pleas on a background of ceremonial washing. 

We are washed by the blood of the Lamb, just as those ancient people were washed. We too must be washed by the water at the Laver of the Word before we enter the holy presence of the Living God. Paul talks of how Christ Jesus performs this duty for His church – His bride. “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.” Ephesians 5:25-27. 


“Thank you, Lord, that we may be clean before you, that the offering of the Lamb of God cleanses us from all sins. Thank you that the water of Your Word washes our spirits as we approach Your presence and thus prepares us for holy service as Your priests. Thank you too that you have given us a means by which husbands may be made holy for their wives. Hallelujah!”

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