Psalm 51 is a psalm of forgiveness and restoration - a prayer for cleansing and pardoning.David's prayer of repentance in Psalm 51 is one of the great prayers of the Bible.
It was written, they think, when the prophet Nathan came to him. As the story goes, David used his power to seduce a woman named Bathsheba while her husband was at war on King David's behalf. When she was found to be with his child, David arranged for her husband, Uriah, to be killed in battle to cover up the matter. Nathan calls him on it.
David was an adulterer and a murderer. Psalm 51 helps us understand why David was a man after God's own heart.
Questions for reflection:
1. As you read Psalm 51, what do you find you identify with the most?
2. How are the true characteristics of repentance (ie. appeal to the mercy of God, honesty, understanding the severity of sinning against God, no excuses or justification, desire to reform, recognition that forgiveness is not deserved by by grace alone) woven into the psalm?
3. The psalm speaks of sin - how do you define sin and how do you view the need to repent? What does that include?4. Do you ever feel that you haven't been completely honest with God?
5. Can you remember a time when you felt the joy of God's salvation restored to you?
6. Have you ever shared your experience of sin, repentance and forgiveness with anyone?
7. In praying for restoration, what does David ask God to do? What do we ask?
As usual, feel free to leave comments, observations or answers to the above questions!
I find this Psalm one of conflicting ideas. Firstly David says he was born of the sin of his mother and that he has been sinful. If God cleans him of sin, he will boast of it. He also says God desires not sacrifice but Zion will give sacrifices.
ReplyDeleteInteresting point, Joe. Thanks for commenting!
ReplyDeleteThis week we found ourselves talking about the nature of sin and forgiveness. It was a great group with a lot of meaningful discussion.
ReplyDelete