This week Adam Hampson will lead our discussion with Psalm 51. Please read Psalm 51 and review the questions below!
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PSALM 51 Preparation:
In addition to reading Psalm 51 during the week, it would be a good idea to read 2 Samuel 11:1 – 12:25 on your own. The Samuel passage will give you the background to why David wrote the psalm.
Background:
When reading Psalm 51 it is important to understand the context in which it was written. In 2nd Samuel 11 and 12 we learn how David committed adultery with Bathsheba and arranged to have her husband killed in battle. David was unrepentant of this sin and it festered for at least 9 months. The Lord sent Nathan to confront David about this. Nathan confronted David about this sin and told him what the consequences of his actions would be; the child who was born out of his adultery was going to die. David acknowledged his sin and pleaded with God for mercy. This is the context in which the psalm was written.
Questions:
1. How would you sum up Psalm 51 in a single sentence? What words would you use to describe the emotion of the psalm?
2. David uses words like clean and wash frequently in the psalm. Why do you think David is emphasizing cleanliness? What other patterns do you see?
3. There is a progression in Psalm 51 as David acknowledges his sin and seeks God’s forgiveness. Look at the Psalm as a whole. How would you describe the different parts?
4. In verse 4 David says “Against you, you only have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight….” How do you reconcile this statement with what David did, i.e. murder and adultery? In your own life, can you think of a time where a sin you committed affected another person. Did you see that sin as against God or just the other person?
5. Repentance implies both confession of and a turning from sin. In verses 7-9 we see David asking for God’s cleansing for what he has done. In verses 10-12, David makes several requests of God for the future. What are these requests? Why are these requests important for David and for us?
6. Read Luke 18:9-14 and verses 16-17 in the psalm. After reading these passages what do you think true repentance means? What does it means to have a broken spirit and contrite heart? Have you experienced a broken and contrite heart in regards to your sin before? If you are comfortable please share a time. If not, do you have any thoughts on how to develop a broken heart toward sin in our lives?
7. Does God just want us to feel bad? Why are the qualities we discussed in the previous question important?
8. Psalm 51 is all from David’s perspective; this is David’s prayer to God as he seeks God’s forgiveness. For comparison, and a look at the Father’s perspective, let’s read a portion of the Parable of the Prodigal Son (Luke 15:17-24).
8a. What words would you use to describe the Father?
8b. Compare the repentance of the prodigal son with David’s repentance in Psalm 51.
