Oct13

The Penitential Psalms

by Scott Chafee on October 13th, 2010 at 11:26 am
Posted In: Teaching

Over the centuries, many believers, overcome by an awareness of their own sins, have found hope and comfort in the words of the penitential (confession) psalms. The psalmists shared with God the depth of their sorrow and repentance of their sin, told of the joy of being forgiven. They rejoiced that God would respond to confession and repentance with complete forgiveness. We, who live on the this side of the cross of Christ, can rejoice even more because his judgment on sin was satisfied by Christ’s death on the cross.

As you read these psalms, note the pattern followed by the psalmists in responding to God:

  1. They recognized their sinfulness and tendency to do wrong.
  2. They realized that sin was rebellion against God himself.
  3. They admitted their sins to God.
  4. They trusted in God’s willingness to forgive.
  5. They accepted his forgiveness.

Use these psalms as a reminder of how easy it is to drift away from God and fall into sin, and what is needed to reestablish our fellowship with God.

Selected psalms that emphasize these themes:

  1. Psalm 6 – Dark Night of the Soul
    1. Prayer expressed by David (Psalm 6:1-5)
    2. Physical exhaustion of David (Psalm 6:6-7)
    3. Praise and exaltation of David (Psalm 6:8-10)
  2. Psalm 14 – The Depravity of Man
    1. The summons (Psalm 14:1-3)
    2. The summation (Psalm 14:4)
    3. The sentence (Psalm 14:5-6)
    4. The suspension (Psalm 14:7)
  3. Psalm 31 – Life’s Ups and Downs
    1. Salvation and strength (Psalm 31:1-4)
    2. Surrender and song (Psalm 31:5-8)
    3. Sorrow and shame (Psalm 31:9-13)
    4. Supplication and scorn (Psalm 31:14-18)
    5. Safety and sympathy (Psalm 31:19-22)
    6. Sweetness and stability (Psalm 31:23-24)
  4. Psalm 32 – The Sin Question
    1. Sin as seen by the sinner (Psalm 32:1-7)
    2. Sin as seen by the Savior (Psalm 32:8-11)
  5. Psalm 38 – Sickness and Suffering by Sin
    1. David’s sin (Psalm 38:1-4)
    2. David’s suffering (Psalm 38:5-8)
    3. David’s sorrow (Psalm 38:9-14)
    4. David’s supplication (Psalm 38:15-22)
  6. Psalm 41 – The Conspiracy
    1. David’s fears (Psalm 41:1-3) consideration and comfort
    2. David’s foes (Psalm 41:4-9) confession and calamity
    3. David’s faith (Psalm 41:10-13) confidence and consolation
  7. Psalm 51 – The Sword of Nathan
    1. David’s confession (Psalm 51:1-6)
    2. David’s cleansing (Psalm 51:7-12)
    3. David’s concern for sinners (Psalm 51:13-17)
    4. David’s consideration for Zion (Psalm 51:18-19)
  8. Psalm 102 – Encircling Gloom
    1. A really gloomy situation (Psalm 102:1-11) condition and complaint
    2. A remarkably golden sunbeam (Psalm 102:12-22) contentment and consolation
    3. A returning gray sky (Psalm 102:23-28) care and comfort
  9. Psalm 130 – A Penitential Psalm
    1. Personal experience (Psalm 130:1-6) his cry and confidence
    2. Public exhortation (Psalm 130:7-8) his concern
  10. Psalm 143 – Desperation
    1. David’s appeal (Psalm 143:1-4) prayer in distress
    2. David’s attitude (Psalm 143:5-6) personal dejection
    3. David’s aspirations (Psalm 143:7-12) present desire

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