(Ps 38) Devotional
Sermon • Submitted
0 ratings
· 7 viewsWe all have sinned and continue to struggle with that sin through out our life. (Rom 3:23, Col 3:5-17) David was no exception. He also dealt with sin and this Psalm gives us an example of how he sought forgiveness from the LORD.
Notes
Transcript
- I confess my iniquity; I am sorry for my sin.
Summary: Ross: Being severely chastened with illness and isolation by the LORD for personal sin, and being grievously attacked by opportunistic enemies, the psalmist pleads with the LORD to deliver him because he has confessed his sin and his hope is in the LORD.
Author: Prescript attributes to David, for memorial offering. However, this may not be connected to the actual memorial offering.
Structure: A strophe Psalm, with an Acrostic (Alphabet) Psalm influence. See WBC for further information.
Outline: Understanding the Text
1. Opening invocation, describing the psalmist’s sickness (38:1–4)
2. Description of sickness and the enemies’ accusations (38:5–20)
a. The physical aspects of the psalmist’s suffering (38:5–10)
b. The social aspects of the psalmist’s suffering (38:11–20)
3. Closing invocation and prayer for deliverance (38:21–22)
1) What is the setting of this text?
Memorial Offering - General
Memorial Offering - Specific to David
Unrelated to Memorial Offering, just a general Psalm of memorial.
The term itself is directly related to the Hebrew verb meaning “to remember” and in this passage the whole of the grain offering was viewed as literally “an offering of memorial causing remembrance of iniquity” (5:15b; cf. v. 18).
(Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology, grain and drink offerings.)
Ross: While the word could suggest a connection to the memorial offering, it may simply be that the heading was intended to be a memorial of his sufferings or a reminder to God of his sufferings. Kidner says, “Since with God to remember is to act, this word speaks of laying before Him a situation that cries out for His help.” Because the psalm belongs to complaints and prayers and not to thanksgivings, this interpretation is more likely.
2) What are the main ideas of this text? What is unique about this text?
Request forgiveness of sins.
The effects of sin and our guilt in our lives.
The act of confession and repentance is modeled.
3) What passages really stand out to you?
Description of the effects of guilt in General.
18 I confess my iniquity;
I am sorry for my sin.
Ps
21 Do not forsake me, O Lord!
O my God, be not far from me!
22 Make haste to help me,
O Lord, my salvation!
Ps 37:
4) How can we apply this text? Who could we share this text with? (past experiences, coming days, specific times)
- We all can commit sin, and need repentance and confession.
David, Man after God’s own heart, needed it.
To bad when we act like we don’t have sin, have it all together.
- The proper response to inevitable sin is confession and repentance.
8 If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
Not the weight and feeling of Guilt.
Not shame, ignoring sin, but honest confession and repentance.
Horizontal and Vertical reconciliation. ()
32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
23 So if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, 24 leave your gift there before the altar and go. First be reconciled to your brother, and then come and offer your gift.