The Joy of Salvation (Psalm 51)

JOY EVERLASTING

David had been the “apple of God’s eye” (see Psalm 17:8; 1 Samuel 13:14). By trusting in the Lord he defeated Goliath (1 Samuel 17, v. 45). He refused to fight Saul, his father-in-law and king, even though Saul tried to kill David several times. He faithfully served the Lord for many years, and God promised that he would be the ancestor of the Messiah (2 Samuel 7:13-14).

Yet David also committed adultery with Bathsheba and murdered her husband and several other faithful servants of the LORD (2 Samuel 11). When the prophet Nathan confronted David, he repented of his sin and wrote psalms expressing his repentance and faith (Psalms 32-51). Read Psalm 51.

·         To what quality or characteristic of God does David appeal for forgiveness (vv. 1-2)?

·         How can David say that he has sinned only against God when he has done so much harm to so many others (vv. 3-4)?

·         How deep does sin run in the human race (v. 5)?

·         What is the “joy of Your salvation,” and how does one receive it (vv.7-12)?

·         What model for the joyful life of the child of God does David offer us (vv. 15-19)?