PSALMS OF PENITENCE

The following four psalms are believed to be a result of David's adultery with Bathsheba and the subsequent murder of Uriah. The apparent chronological order is 6, 38, 51 and 32. Read in this order they represent the different stages of David's progression.

Psalm 6: Grief

a. What is the purpose of the trial David experienced?

b. In what ways did this trial affect David?

c. What is David's overall attitude in this psalm?

d. What two things did David dread?

e. What was the result of David's plea?

Psalm 38: Suffering

a. What did David confess? What did he claim? What was his plea?

b. In what ways was David suffering?

c. What is David's reaction in the middle of the psalm?

d. What things about God did David ask or observe?

e. What was God's response?

Psalm 51: Plea for Forgiveness

a. What is the nature of David's guilt?

b. In what ways did this trial affect David? 

c. Against whom did David sin?

d. What can we learn in this psalm about sin, confession of sin, and the basis of God's forgiveness?

e. How did David respond to God's actions?

Psalm 32: Forgiveness

a. What is the nature of David's prayer?

b. What is the sequence of actions by David and God as represented in this psalm?

c. What is involved in forgiveness by God? On what grounds can forgiveness be justly granted?

d. What does this psalm teach us about righteousness?

e. What are correct responses to God's forgiveness?

There are several other progressions of events given in the Bible, some leading upward and some downward:

James 1:2-4

My brothers, whenever you face trials of any kind, consider it nothing but joy because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance; and let endurance have its full effect so that you may become mature, lacking in nothing.

James 1:14-15

One is tempted by one's own desires, lured and enticed by it. Then when that desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown gives birth to death.

Judges 2:11-22

In these verses are described the sequence of events in the life of Israel that are repeated multiple times, indicating that the people never did learn their lesson during that time period.

sin

servitude

supplication

savior

salvation

silence

These various sequences, and others in the Bible, teach us several lessons:

1. When we are in the middle of unpleasant circumstances, we should look ahead to the inevitable conclusion of the chain of events and not get too discouraged by the present situation.

2. Our response in facing trying situations may have wide-reaching consequences in our lives. It can lead to freedom or bondage, life or death.

3. If we don't learn the lessons from our mistakes, we may be doomed to repeat them with the same unpleasant results.

4. But through it all, God is there to give comfort and patiently guide us.