Whiter Than Snow: Meditations on Sin and Mercy

Psalm 51 is powerfully provocative. In it we experience, via David's poetic transparency, the soul-damaging aftermath of sin and the deep-hunger for mercy by one of God's wayward children. Often, scripture can be black or white. That is, we are confronted with the choice to follow God and be holy and happy, or follow our sin and by corrupted and damned. Yet in his daily walk the follower of Jesus Christ many times experiences an intersection of these positions. While being secured salvifically in the Father's hand, the carnal disciple still foolishly invites the whore of sin into the bed of his life. As a result, he suffers the venereal consequences of her presence. In passages such as Psalm 51 we witness ourselves--the average disciple who battles sin. In our weakness, we often lose this battle (as David did). Yet as one writer expressed it, it is in the deepest pits that we see the stars most clearly. In these miserable moments--these Psalm 51 moments--we see the strength, grace, and mercy of the Savior most clearly. Paul David Tripp brings the rich theology and deep piety of Psalm 51 into a contemporary and conversational form. As a seminary professor, Presbyterian pastor, professional counselor, and ministry president, Tripp is uniquely gifted and experienced. He unpacks this psalm verse-by-verse, allowing us to experience the raw-emotion of a chastened leader while simultaneously showing us a devoted disciples' radical and life-changing view of God. In this little book, Tripp offers us 52 short devotionals the explore the deep ugliness of our sin, but more importantly the beauty of grace that goes deeper still. Tripp refuses to move past the reality of soul-destroying sin in order to placate audiences with a cheapened and powerless form of 'grace'. However, he also refuses to lay upon our shoulders the weight of sin without taking us to the foot of the cross--the very place where our burdens are lifted. This short book is a beautiful written exposition that, like the Psalm on which it is based, has a poetic 'soul'. Tripp often includes poetry and occasionally allows an entire devotional to take poetic form. His use of story adds a warm and real-life touch and his writing style is easily accessible.

One of the truest benefits of genuine Christian friendship is transparency in view of the glory of Christ. If you are a believer you are no doubt feeling blessed if you enjoy such a relationship. I greatly value such relationships myself. I feel as though Paul David Tripp is now in that camp for me. Now, of course, I do not know him personally, I've never hung out with him. However, in reading his latest book Whiter than Snow, I feel as though we have been meeting for coffee each Tuesday morning. It seems like he has been discipling and encouraging me through his book on the 51st Psalm. In 52 short meditations the book brings the gloriously dangerous realities of grace and mercy down to eye level. In some chapters Tripp writes poems, others stories, some detailed exposition, and others he writes like he is in his journal. However he may vary the style the same note is hit: as hideous as sin is mercy is more glorious in triumph. "Thank God that he has given us big grace! Each one of us needs grace that's not only big enough to forgive our sin, but also powerful enough to free us from the self-atoning prison of our own righteousness. We're not only held captive by our sin, but also by the delusion of our righteousness. Resting in God's grace isn't just about confessing your sin; it's about forsaking your righteousness as well. So we all need the big grace that's found only in the person and work of the Lord Jesus Christ." (p.29) Many times folks ask me for a good book to go through with a friend--this is definitely one I would recommend. The book is Christ-exalting, ego-afflicting, and so therefore very valuable to those who pursue conformity to the image of Jesus.

Tripp's writing is fresh and clear, understandable and simple. But more than that, it's powerful. This collection of meditations on our need of forgiveness and grace from God is piercing. The questions on each meditation are insightful and thought-provoking. Whiter than Snow has helped me in my walk with the Lord.

This book is 52 small chapters (most are 3 pages) from an author who has obviously spent a lot of time thinking about this psalm and his position before God. Its introspective nature is reflective of what comes to the mind of a man when he understands his depravity and is unable to change unless God supernaturally changes his heart. The 51st Psalm is Davids prayers of repentance and want of Gods mercy for his sinful nature, the author here goes after the same aspects of sin in our lives,showing on many occasions how we assume we are better than we are, he takes many of the verses that make up the 51st psalm and shows examples of how we can go to God with these things to receive forgiveness, mercy, healing and spiritual growth. There are in the book what I would gather as prayers, from the author to God, that are very moving and useful for our own meditation. It is very easy reading but that doesn't discount the depth of importance of the lessons to be learned. I'd be surprised if laymen or scholar didn't benefit from this work.