What are the circumstances that lead to David writing this psalm?  Why is that important to note?

What does David do when he is confronted with his sin?  How should we respond when we are confronted with our own sin (by others, or by the Holy Spirit)?

What does this psalm teach us about the nature of sin?  What does it teach us about the nature of God’s forgiveness?  How does it serve to encourage us today - especially when we fall prey to sin and temptation?

How does this psalm serve as a model for what repentance looks like in the Christian life?

Do you find it difficult to confess sin to other people?  Why or why not?

What does David pray for in this psalm?  What are some of the specific requests that he asks of God?  What do they tell us about David’s view of God?  And of himself?

In 51:4, David says that he has sinned against God, and God only.  How can that be?  What do you think that David means by this?

In 51:4, David says that God is justified and blameless in his judgment against people’s sin.  Why is this the case?  What does God’s judgment and wrath against sin imply about his character and his nature?

What do you think David means when he asks God to create a clean heart within him?  (51:10)  

In 51:1-12, David asks God for mercy, and to forgive his sin.  In 51:13-17, he articulates how he intends to respond, once he receives mercy from God.  What can we learn from these verses about how we, as Christians, are to respond to God’s grace and mercy in our lives?

Describe the vision for corporate worship and biblical community that we see in 51:13-19.  How can we seek to cultivate this in our church?

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Reflection Questions