PENITENCE-Psalm 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, 143.

Old Testament, Psalms, Sermons

Knowledge. “I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight…”

Prayer. “Create in me a pure [clean] heart, O God, and renew a stedfast spirit within me.” “Restore to me the joy of my salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me” (Ps 51:3-4, 10, 12).

The 7 “penitential psalms“ can help you recognize your own sinful state, understand that sin has dire consequences, and that God’s mercy and forgiveness is available to all who acknowledge and confess their sin.

What do these illustrative verses from these 7 “penitential psalms” teach you?

  1. Psalm 6:1-3. Why did he experience rebuke, discipline, agony and anguish (Ps 6:1, 2-3; 38:1, 3, 18)? Why did he need God’s mercy (Ps 6:2; 130:3)?
  2. Psalm 32:1-2, 5. Why did he feel blessed (Ps 32:1-2; 130:4; 103:3, 10, 12)? What did he do (Ps 32:5; 2 Sam 12:13)? What was the result of not confessing his sin (Ps 32:3-4; 38:2)?
  3. Psalm 38:4, 9-10. How did he feel as a result of his sin and guilt (Ps 38:2-4, 6, 8, 9-10; 13:2)?
  4. Psalm 51:10. What did he want (Ps 51:1-2, 9, 14a)? Know (Ps 51:3-4)? Desire (Ps 51:8, 10, 12, 17)? How does he connect personal restoration with ministry to others (Ps 51:13, 15)?
  5. Psalm 102:1-2. What is his earnest prayer (Ps 102:1-2, 24; 51:11; cf. Ps 39:13)? Why currently (Ps 102:3-5, 6-8, 9-11, 23)? Why ultimately (Ps 102:18, 21-22, 28)?
  6. Psalm 130:3-4. Why does his personal plea (Ps 130:1-2) end with universal truth about redemption (Ps 130:7-8)?
  7. Psalm 143:2, 5-6. Does remembering God’s past works (Ps 143:5) strengthen your present faith? How does being taught “to do your will” (Ps 143:10) connect with seeking mercy (Ps 143:1)? Though we are unrighteous (Ps 143:2), how can we be righteous (Ps 143:11-12)?

Since late 2023, we have studied the 7 penitential psalms with the following titles:

  1. Psalm 6—AGONY–expresses physical and spiritual anguish (Ps 6:1-3). 11/20/24.
  2. Psalm 32—CONFESSION–focuses on the joy of confession and forgiveness (Ps 32:1-2, 5). 12/18/24.
  3. Psalm 38—OVERWHELMED–describes the weight of guilt and suffering (Ps 38:4). 11/12/23.
  4. Psalm 51—SIN–the most famous and the central OT text on repentance–pleads for inner transformation (Ps 51:10). 12/5/23.
  5. Psalm 102—DEVASTATED–portrays deep affliction and mortality (Ps 102:3-9). 8/7/24.
  6. Psalm 130—FORGIVENESS–shows hope rising from despair (Ps 130:7-8). 1/15/25.
  7. Psalm 143—UNRIGHTEOUS–demonstrates trust in God’s faithfulness (Ps 143:1). 12/15/24.

What did he know (Ps 130:3-4)? Do (Ps 130:5-6)? What was his hope (Ps 130:7-8)?

What was his prayer (Ps 143:1, 6, 11-12)? Why (Ps 143:2)?

“How long must I wrestle with my thoughts and day after day have sorrow in my heart?” (Ps 13:2).

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