Prayer of Repentance

I. Intro

4th of 7 Penitential Psalms (6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, 143)

the key feature of expressing penitence—the psalmist’s sorrow over sin and spiritual failure.

the penitential psalms were set apart for liturgical use in the Christian church for the confession of sin and repentance.

2. 2 Samuel 12 - David and Nathan

II. David’s Plea

v 1

Lovingkindness=steadfast love=covenant word

v 2

vv 7-12

HYSSOP (אֵזוֹב, ezov; ὑσσώπῳ, hyssōpō). A plant used in rituals for ceremonial cleansing and atonement (e.g., Exod 12:22; Lev 14:4, 52; Num 19:6, 18; Heb 9:19).

III. David’s Confession

vv. 3-6

“Confession is part of repentance, but confession is not repentance”

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Bible Chapter 51

Those that truly repent of their sins, will not be ashamed to own their repentance. Also, he instructs others what to do, and what to say. David had not only done much, but suffered much in the cause of God; yet he flees to God’s infinite mercy, and depends upon that alone for pardon and peace. He begs the pardon of sin. The blood of Christ, sprinkled upon the conscience, blots out the transgression, and, having reconciled us to God, reconciles us to ourselves. The believer longs to have the whole debt of his sins blotted out, and every stain cleansed; he would be thoroughly washed from all his sins; but the hypocrite always has some secret reserve, and would have some favorite lust spared. David had such a deep sense of his sin, that he was continually thinking of it, with sorrow and shame. His sin was committed against God, whose truth we deny by wilful sin; with him we deal deceitfully. And the truly penitent will ever trace back the streams of actual sin to the fountain of original depravity

IV. David’s Response

vv. 13-17

V. David Pleas for the people

vv. 18-19

Matthew Henry’s Concise Commentary on the Bible Chapter 51

Those who have been in spiritual troubles, know how to pity and pray for others afflicted in like manner. David was afraid lest his sin should bring judgements upon the city and kingdom.