PSALM 51 | CONFESSION
Can you recall a time or season when you hid the truth about a mistake or sin? What motivated you to hide? What happened when the truth came out?
Read Psalm 51:1-2. In these opening verses, David uses three images to describe his condition and need before God. Which of the three feels closest to your own experience? Which is the most foreign?
“Blot out my transgressions” - Guilt. The royal record of my wrongdoing needs to be destroyed.
“Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity” - Shame. A heavily soiled garment needs to be soaked and scrubbed to remove deeply set stains.
“Cleanse me from my sin.” - Unholy/ profane. Purification is needed so that I can once more draw near a holy God.
Read Psalm 51:3-6. Considering David’s sins of adultery and murder, why does he say that he has sinned only against God? What does this confession tell us about the nature of sin in general?
Read Psalm 51:7-12. List the requests David makes of God. How do the confessional statements in the previous verses prepare David and the reader for these requests?
Read 2 Samuel 12:13 and 1 John 1:8-9. Why is confession good? What resources does the gospel provide to enable a life of confession and repentance?
CHALLENGE: Journal daily to confess before God. Confess your sins, fears, weakness, & need. Also confess Christ, his sufficiency, and your faith and hope in him. How do you think daily confession will affect your day-to-day life?