Psalm 51: Praying Our Sin
ALONGSIDE THE BASIC fact that God made us good (Ps 8) is the equally basic fact that we have gone wrong. We pray our sins to get to the truth about ourselves and to find out how God treats sinners. Our experience of sin does not consist in doing some bad things but in being bad. It is a fundamental condition of our existence, not a temporary lapse into error. Praying our sin isn't resolving not to sin anymore; it is discovering what God has resolved to do with us as sinners.
Warming Up to God
As Christians, we know we are sinful. Why then is it so painful to be confronted with a specific sin? What sin have you been avoiding talking to God about? Take it to God and experience his forgiveness.
Read Psalm 51. »
Discovering the Word
- List the different synonyms for sin in David's prayer.
- What is God asked to do about sin? (Count and name the verbs.)
- Verse 10 is the center sentence. How does it center the prayer?
- Forgiveness is an internal action with external consequences. What are some of them (vv. 13-17)?
- What do you understand a "broken and contrite heart" to be (v. 17)?
- According to verses 18-19, what is the relationship between personal forgiveness and social righteousness?
Applying the Word
- When have you had a "broken and contrite heart"?
- Psalm 51 makes us aware of how sinful we are, and it makes us less actively sinful. How do you see it working that way in you?
Responding in Prayer
Be quiet before God. In silence confess your sins to him. Accept his forgiveness and grace.
For Further Study
Reflection & Confession by Jan Johnson