Psalm 51 A Prayer for Cleansing Lesson 8: Psalms 51 56 1. In this Psalm we have the personal account of how David came to acknowledge His sin and the wonder of God s grace in forgiving him. Further on the basis of that forgiveness is the desire of David to continue as the anointed servant of God to lead and govern God s people for the glory of God s Name. (R. Moore) Recall the occasion for this confession of sin by David. 2. Psalm 51: 1-4. What in these verses indicates that David s confession is heart-felt? 3. What does David acknowledge when he prays both for the washing of his iniquity and for the cleansing of his sin? 4. How are we to understand the phrase that God might be justified when He speaks, and clear when he judges? 5. Psalm 51: 5-6. Some say that David was making excuse for his sin in verse 5. Was he? Explain. 6. Next David speaks of God s requirement of man -- Jehovah requires truth in the inward parts -- what does this mean? Why are inward parts referred to as our hidden part? 7. Psalm 51: 7-8. How was hyssop used in the cleansing in the temple and to what did this cleansing point? 8. We read David s request to make me to hear joy and gladness. What does this imply about the time when we walk impenitently in sin?
9. What is referred to when David speaks of his bones that were broken by God? How do our broken bones rejoice? 10. Psalm 51: 9-12. Verse nine has to do with our justification; with what does verse ten have to do? 11. Is it necessary that we pray daily for a renewal of heart and spirit? Why? 12. Why does the repentant sinner need to pray for restoration of the joy of God s salvation? 13. Psalm 51:13-15. Think of our calling to speak to others of the deliverance and salvation which God provides His children. How do we do this in our homes? How do we do this with neighbors, be he in the church or outside of her? 14. Why do you believe David keeps coming back to the need for deliverance from sin as he does in verse 14? 15. What link, if any, do you see between a blameless life and the effectiveness of the gospel? Do you agree or disagree that Christians must sow a few wild oats so they can better understand non-christians? 16. Why is it necessary for us to pray as David that God should open our lips that we would show forth His praise? Do you think we make this a part of our daily prayers enough? 17. Psalm 51: 16-19. The sacrifice of a broken spirit and contrite heart teaches what with respect to salvation? What does it mean that your spirit is broken and your heart is contrite?
18. As David comes in all humility to God, why is he concerned with Zion and the walls of Jerusalem? What is represented by the figures of Zion and the walls of Jerusalem? Psalm 52 The Futility of Boastful Wickedness This is one of 8 psalms which are associated by their superscriptions with David s experiences as an exile from Saul. The others are: Psalm 7 (concerning Cush) Psalm 57 (he flees to the cave of Adullam) Psalm 34 (David at the court of Abimelech) Psalm 59 (Saul seeks to kill David) Psalm 54 (David is almost betrayed by the people of Ziphim) Psalm 142 (a prayer in the cave) Psalm 56 (David goes to the Philistines at Gath) 19. Psalm 52 is one of the earlier poems. Read the full story in I Samuel 21:1-9 and 22:9-23. What is the historical context? 20. What emotion is expressed by David in verses 1-4? 21. What is the mighty man s fate (v 5)? 22. Do verses 6-7 display a godly attitude? 23. What is David s destiny in contrast to the wicked one?
Psalm 53 The Folly and Wickedness of Men 24. Psalm 53 is a revision of Psalm 14. What are the differences? Psalm 54 A Prayer for Protection from Enemies 25. Study the interaction that David had with the Ziphites in I Samuel 23:13-24 and I Samuel 24:15. What is the story? 26. What headings (themes) would you put for the three sections of the psalm? Verses 1-3 Verses 4-5 Verses 6-7 Psalm 55 A Prayer for Salvation This psalm has traditionally associated with Absalom s rebellion, but, if so, it must have preceded David s flight from Jerusalem, and probably followed the defection of Ahithophel. John Calvin s opinion is that it seems rather to have been written at a period when David was reduced to extreme danger by the persecutions of Saul. It is a prayer, expressive of the deepest distress, and full of fervor 27. What does David express in the first five verses?
28. What thoughts does David turn to in verses 6-8? 29. What is the subject matter of verses 9-15, 20-21? 30. David s faith leads him to do what at the end of the psalm? Psalm 56 A Prayer of Trust 31. The portion of history referred to in the superscription is recorded in I Samuel 21. Discuss. 32. The Psalms two parts are each followed by a refrain in verses 3-4 and 10-11. Verses 12-13 form a brief conclusion. First part: Refrain: Second part: Refrain: Conclusion: