Bible Studies for Life: October 18
The Cry for Forgiveness • Psalm 51:1-13
By Don Hicks
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” (Romans 3:23 CSB). This verse may be more familiar to many of you in the King James Version, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” There is not any difference in the meaning of these two widely accepted translations — is there? They both make it very clear why there is a universal need for each of us to cry for God’s forgiveness. And if we do cry for God to forgive us, we will very much understand [with probably a lifelong growing understanding] why this unit of Bible Study is named “The Beauty of Forgiveness.” Read Psalm 50:22-51:17, II Samuel 11-12:15, and Romans 3:23, 6:23 and 10:9-10.
Let’s begin this study of these very important truths from God’s Word by holding your copy of God’s Word, your Bible, and actually studying directly from it. First look at I John 4:8 to remember it’s strong reassurance, “God is love” (I John 4:8 KJV).
The introduction to Psalm 51(KJV) given by the psalmist reads: “To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bath-sheba.” If you need to refresh your memory about David’s illicit affair with Bath-sheba go to II Samuel: 11:1-12:15. This sinful act of adultery and murder are actually sins against God. King David knew full well that these dirty, sinful deeds were a direct attack on God himself and were wrong, harmful, and totally unacceptable.
Here in King David’s own words is his cry for forgiveness: “Be gracious to me, God, according to your faithful love; according to your abundant compassion, blot out my rebellion. Completely wash my guilt away and cleanse me from my sin. For I am conscious of my rebellion, and my sin is always before me. Against you — you alone — I have sinned and done this evil in your sight. So, you are right when you pass sentence; you are blameless when you judge” (Psalm 51:1-4 CSB). Aren’t we glad “God is love”(I John 4:8 KJV)?
This lesson is packed full of tremendous truths about forgiveness. It is going to be really hard to cover in an hour of Sunday School, so you can understand how excited I was when I went to the Wednesday Night Prayer Service at my church, Park Place Baptist Church in Pearl, and found that our Associate Pastor, Daniel Bray, was teaching and preaching on “Pray for Forgiveness” from Psalm 51.
As usual, Brother Daniel was well prepared and had a succinct outline that he gave us. I want to share his outline with you because I believe it will help you to cover these truths within our lesson time limits.
Pray For Forgiveness (Psalm 51)
When confronted with his sin, broken-hearted David turns to God for forgiveness.
1. The context (2 Sam. 11-12)
A. David’s actions were evil (11:27)
B. David despised the Word of the LORD (12:9-10)
C. David confessed his sin and was forgiven (12:13)
2. The Prayer (Psalm 51)
A. David asks for cleansing from God for his sin (vv. 1-2,7)
B. David confesses the seriousness of his sin
I. He dwells on his sin (v. 3)
II. He absolves God and not himself (v. 4)
III. He acknowledges his internal corruption (v. 5-6)
C. David pleads for renewal of his life
I. Give me a new heart (v. 10)
II. Confirm my identity (v. 11)
III. Let this lead to evangelism (v.13)
IV. Help me overflow with praise (v. 15)
V. Receive my humbled heart (v. 17)
3. The Miracle (Romans 3:21-26)
A. David was forgiven only because of the righteous of Jesus.
B. You have been forgiven only because of the righteousness Jesus.
C. Anyone may turn to God with a broken-hearted boldness knowing the righteousness of Jesus has atoned for every sin and declares us righteous as well.
Hicks is a member of Park Place Baptist Church, Pearl.