Psalm 51

Confessing sin to God and praising him for forgiveness.

1–2 Cry for mercy
3–6 Confession of sin
7–12 Prayer for forgiveness
13–17 Praise and thanksgiving
18–19 Prayer for Israel

  • Why is it fitting that this psalm follows Psalm 50?
  • Verse 11 does not teach the loss of salvation; rather, this refers to God’s withdrawing his special enablement from the King of Israel that enabled him to effectively rule. See also Judges 16:20; 1 Samuel 11:6; 16:13–14; 18:10, 12; 28:15.
  • Why would David pray for Jerusalem (vv. 18–19)? Wasn’t the whole psalm about his sin?
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