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This psalm is an individual lament that is also one of the repentance psalms (Psalms 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, 143). This psalm truly is a “sinner’s prayer,” and may be used effectively in evangelism. In this psalm we have a person that is fully aware they have sinned against God, cannot save themselves, and are in desperate need of grace. The context of this psalm is seen in 2 Samuel 11–12. Nathan the prophet tells a story and confronts King David over his despicable sins. A believer sharing God’s word with another believer is the means God uses to move David from covering his sin to biblical repentance. God’s forgiveness, which was granted, David, did not remove the “built-in” consequences for the sin. Four of David’s children (2 Sam 12:6) died in direct response to David’s adultery and murder (2 Sam 12:9–14) [Bathsheba’s baby, Amnon, Absalom, Adonijah]. BEWARE of the consequences of forgiven sins! Sin is never free, it always costs too much. There are civil penalties, everlasting penalties, and earthly penalties (you reap what you plant).
A. A prayer for individual
restoration (vs. 1–2)
B. Personal confession, remorse, and
repentance (vs. 3–6)
C. A prayer for forgiveness, renewal,
wisdom, and restoration (vs. 7–12)
B`. Thanksgiving, petition, praise, and a
deeper commitment (vs. 13–17)
A`. A prayer for national
restoration (vs. 18–19)
Our Bible study rule for this week is:
RULE #7: Interpret each passage according to the literary style chosen by the author. Observe what type of literature the book, paragraph, and sentence are before seeking to discovering the meaning of words. Look for: a) figures of speech, b) proverbs, c) parables, d) narratives, e) teaching, f) poetry, g) prophecy, h) allegories, i) historical narrative, j) discourse between individuals, k) occasional letters, etc.
I. A prayer for pardon, cleansing, and
restoration (vs. 1–2)
A. Have mercy, please do not give me what justice requires. I have no rights to demand forgiveness; I throw myself on the mercy of the court
B. Respond to me based on your (hesed) covenant love and great
compassion
C. If I am going to be saved, it will be
by grace and not by my merit
D. Erase my rebellious acts from your
book (Col 2:14)
E. Wash and cleanse me, for I am like a filthy garment. Guilt helps us realize we are not worthy to be in God’s presence or the presence of His people. We need to understand this to be delivered from the wrath to come
II. Personal confession, remorse, and repentance (vs. 3–6)
A. David is finally aware of his violations of the law. His sin is confronting him all day long. He has moved from covering and denying his sin to confessing it (Ps 32:1–5)
B. David’s greatest sin is treason against God, compared to his sin against God, the sins against Bathsheba, Uriah, his neighbors, pale in comparison (Remember this is poetry that is building to a central conclusion) [Gen 39:9; Luke 15:8] The central issue about sin is that all sin is against the holy Creator God who is Sovereign over His universe. David had intentionally violated the moral law of God—committed high-handed rebellion
C. God sees everything, He hates sin and
He records every sin
D. David is acknowledging the holy God of the Bible right to judge every sinner including himself (See Luke 23:41) Romans 3:3-6 What then? If some did not believe, their unbelief will not nullify the faithfulness of God, will it? 4 May it never be! Rather, let God be found true, though every man be found a liar, as it is written, "THAT YOU MAY BE JUSTIFIED IN YOUR WORDS, AND PREVAIL WHEN YOU ARE JUDGED." 5 But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? The God who inflicts wrath is not unrighteous, is He? (I am speaking in human terms.) 6 May it never be! For otherwise, how will God judge the world?
E. Men are sinners from conception and
are pervasively depraved
F. God desires men to believe that He is holy, they are sinful—all men have a big problem. God desires men to be loyal and realize that God must send His wisdom or they will not admit their sin and guilt and repent and trust Him
III. A prayer for forgiveness,
renewal, wisdom, and restoration (vs.
7–12)
A. David has committed sins that require death by the civil law, the sin offerings were for unintentional sins - God is above the king, so He can grant mercy on the civil offense
B. David goes to the analogy of the Leper
in Leviticus 14, he needs cleansing
C. David’s greatest need is God’s
forgiveness, to be right with God
D. The leper sprinkled with blood seven times pictured substitution and cleansing by the Messiah to come, the Lord Jesus Christ
E. David’s white robe is stained with
blood; God can wash it whiter than snow
F. Cleanse, hide, create (only used with God) David is asking for a miracle, a pure heart God must bring renewal and cleansing of conscience, giving assurance of being right with God
G. David does not want to lose his office
like Saul did (1 Sam 6:14; 1 Cor 9:27)
H. Restored fellowship restores peace,
joy, and assurance
I. David needs God’s help to be willing to fight his indwelling sin
IV. Thanksgiving, petition,
praise, and a deeper commitment (vs.
13–17)
A. By his testimony of what not to do,
David can warn other sinners
B. He needs God to save him from
violating His holy law—bloodguilt
C. Those who have been saved by grace
thank and praise God for it
D. God hates sacrifices without genuine repentance, sorrow for sin, and faith
V. A prayer for national restoration (vs. 18–19)
A. Our sin affects others (Josh 7:1–21; 2
Sam 24:10–17; Cor 6:15–20)
B. Sacrifices without a relationship and repentance are worthless
Lessons to Live by: Men can never merit God’s favor. We must throw
ourselves on the mercy of the court. We are really sinful, and thus, we need a
substitute to live a holy life for us and to die for our sin. God is just when
He judges sinners, He is gracious when He forgives sinners by judging His Son
in their place. We need forgiveness, cleansing, and to be right with God.
