The Cry for Pardon
Psalm 25:11
For your name's sake, O LORD, pardon my iniquity; for it is great.


I. THE CONFESSION. "Mine iniquity, for it is great." The confession of a regenerate man: the spirit teaches and prompts. The natural man excuses, palliates, minimises his sin; uses false weights and measures. Our view depends on distance, position, light, and medium. God views according to unerring standard, and in clearest light; so more and more does the spirit-taught soul. Sense of sin grows as we come nearer to God. This confession is not vague, unmeaning, mere form. Take one sin — anyone — and look at it in the light; weigh it in the scales; it is great. Consider the magnitude and multitude of your sins.

II. THE PRAYER. "Pardon." Appeal from law to grace; of these there can be no mixture. Great sins do not bar this appeal. Great sin means great need. No extenuating circumstances can be urged; none are needed. Pardon is free, immediate, complete, and continual.

III. THE PLEA. For Thy names sake. All selfment is disowned. God delights to pardon. God has promised to pardon. God's name, character, word, promise, covenant are all involved in hearing prayer — this prayer. Christ is the embodiment of the Divine name for sinners, and the sinner's plea with God.

(James Smith, M. A.)



Parallel Verses
KJV: For thy name's sake, O LORD, pardon mine iniquity; for it is great.

WEB: For your name's sake, Yahweh, pardon my iniquity, for it is great.




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