The definition of restored is to bring (something) back into existence or
return (something) to original condition by repairing it, cleaning it, etc.
Why Psalm 51?
Psalm 51 is known as a lament Psalm. David is expressing to God his
grief and/or regret and asking God to cleanse him of his sins.
Since we all sin (mess up) towards God, this Psalm gives us a great understanding of asking God for forgiveness. Psalm 51 also brings comfort
and is a great help to us in knowing that God hears our plea and restores us to joy in Him.
To understand why David is pleading to God in this Psalm, we are going
to have you read and study through some of the history of David. This
devotional/journal will begin with 2 Samuel 11 and 2 Samuel 12. This
will give a great foundation and will help to be a guide for our study
over the next few weeks. Each day will offer Scripture passages to read
and questions to reflect on and journal through in the space provided.
We will discover our transformation in being restored to joy is challenging. It is only by God’s grace that we can move forward or move through
the circumstances we face in our daily lives. How we chose to live during
the difficult times, or joyous times, will transform us to either draw nearer to God or push him away.
As you either get to know God for the first time, or are building a deeper relationship with God, together we will explore through Psalm 51.
It is our prayer that you may delight in God, your heart be restored to
joy in His salvation, and be delivered to live the life God has planned for
you.
With much love and prayer,
The Restored Team
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Week 1: Day 1
Read 1 Samuel 13:14 and Acts 13:22.
Based on these verse, who was David? How did God describe him?
Read 2 Samuel 11-12 and journal through the following questions on the
page provided.
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What were David’s shortcomings? What did he do to sin against
God?
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At what points could David have admitted his sin instead of choosing to commit more sins?
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Do you have a sin spiral happening in your life? What is it? What can
you do to put a stop to it now before it gets worse?
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God sent Nathan to help David see the depth of his sins. How has
someone else been used by God to help you see the depth of your
disobedience?
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What sins could God be using this study to help you see you need
to confess now? Is there someone God might be sending you to in
order to help them work through something? What will you do?
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The story of the rich man taking the poor man’s lamb caused David
to admit his grievances against the Lord and then write Psalm 51.
How does that story affect you?
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Week 1: Day 2
Read Psalm 51:1-2.
Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; According
to the greatness of Your compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash
me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.
Psalm 51:1-2
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How do you feel about your sin?
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Do you recognize God’s unending capacity to love you? And that
he wants to have compassion on you no matter what you’ve done?
How does that make you see yourself/your sin differently?
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What does “blot out my transgressions” mean to you? Do you want
that for yourself?
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What type of cleaning does David desire?
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What do you desire for your own life?
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What practical steps is God leading you to do today to lead toward
restoration?
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Week 1: Day 3
Read Psalm 51:3-4, 1 Corinthians 10:13 and Romans 6:23.
For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against You,
You only, I have sinned and done what is evil in Your sight, so that You
are justified when You speak and blameless when You judge.
Psalm 51:3-4
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If you’re carrying around guilt, fear, doubt, anger, selfishness, etc., it
is pushing the joy out! What are you carrying around?
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What temptation is before you?
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How can you prepare for times of temptation?
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What practical tools do you have for resisting your present temptation when it comes?
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What mistakes have you apologized for on earth, but perhaps have
not brought before God?
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What are you doing that society is telling you is fine but the holy
spirit is telling you is not actually fine?
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What do you deserve? In contrast, what does God offer?
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Week 1: Day 4
Read Psalm 51:5 and 2 Corinthians 5:17.
Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived
me. Psalm 51:5
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What does this say you are susceptible to?
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What can you do about your sin nature?
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Week 1: Day 5
Read Psalm 51:6 and James 1:2-6.
Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being, and in the hidden part
You will make me know wisdom. Psalm 51:6
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What does God desire for our hearts?
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How does God teach you wisdom?
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Week 2: Day 1
Read Psalm 51:7 and 1 John 1:9.
Purify me with hyssop*, and I shall be clean; Wash me, and I shall be
whiter than snow. Psalm 51:7
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What is the significance of David asking to be washed with hyssop?
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What does David know the result of God washing Him clean will be?
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Do you have the confidence David had when he said this? Do you
believe your slate can be washed clean?
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How can you increase your faith in this area?
*Did you know?
Hyssop is an herb in the mint family, used for cleansing and medicinal purposes.
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Week 2: Day 2
Read Psalm 51:8 and Psalm 27:13-14
Make me to hear joy and gladness, Let the bones which You have broken rejoice. Psalm 51:8
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In what ways do you feel crushed?
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Do you believe God will surround you with goodness again? In seasons of waiting, how does God bring about His goodness?
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How do you define goodness and could this be different from God’s
definition of goodness?
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How can you live in that belief? It what ways is that difficult?
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Week 2: Day 3
Read Psalm 51:9 and Psalm 103:10-12.
Hide Your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquities. Psalm 51:9
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Do you have faith God can look away from your sin?
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What part of your life do you want God to look away from?
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What could you do to change that, where you can be happy for God
to see all of you?
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When we mess up or believe we are simply not good enough, what
does God’s Word say about this?
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Week 2: Day 4
Read Psalm 51:10-11 and Galatians 5:22-23.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within
me. Do not cast me away from Your presence and do not take Your Holy
Spirit from me. Psalm 51:10-11
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What is a pure heart?
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What is a steadfast spirit?
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Do you have faith he can do that? That he can/will give you a new,
pure heart and a steadfast spirit?
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If you have given your life to Jesus, do you have to worry about
losing the Holy Spirit? (Romans 8:9, John 14:16, Ephesians 1:13-14,
2 Corinthians 1:22)
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What does it mean to be sealed with the Holy Spirit and how does
this encourage your heart today?
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Week 2: Day 5
Read Psalm 51:12-13, John 10:10 and Psalm 16:11.
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and sustain me with a willing
spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners will be converted to You. Psalm 51:12-13
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What circumstances in your life are threatening to steal your joy?
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What does God offer us at salvation?
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What is the difference between happiness and the “joy of your
salvation?”
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What is a willing spirit? What does this look like for you in your relationship with God?
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How can you use your brokenness to bring about purpose from your
pain?
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Write a letter to God, asking for restoration and obedience to be
used by Him.
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Week 3: Day 1
Read Psalm 51:14 and Ephesians 1:7.
Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation; Then
my tongue will joyfully sing of Your righteousness. Psalm 51:14
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What does bloodguiltiness mean? What sin is David referring to and
what is the deserved punishment?
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What do Romans 3:23 and Romans 6:23 say about sin and it’s consequence?
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Write out a personal plea to God recognizing your sin, asking for
God’s forgiveness and accepting the work of Christ on your behalf.
Take time to pray and rejoice in His righteousness.
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Week 3: Day 2
Read Psalm 51:15.
O Lord, open my lips, that my mouth may declare Your praise.
Psalm 51:15
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In moments of difficulty or pain, is it hard for you to declare praise?
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What does David ask the Lord to do?
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What comfort and encouragement does this give you in times when
it is hard to offer praise to God?
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Week 3: Day 3
Read Psalm 51:16-17.
For You do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it; You are not
pleased with burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a
broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.
Psalm 51:16-17
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God desires for our heart and attitude to honor Him.
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What does David say he will sacrifice?
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Do you need to come before God with a broken spirit?
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How comforting is it that God will not despise what we bring before
Him? Read 1 John 1:9. Write in your own words what this verse
means to you.
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Week 3: Day 4
Read Psalm 51:18.
By Your favor do good to Zion; Build the walls of Jerusalem.
Psalm 51:18
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David is asking for protection over the nation and people. Do you
take time to ask God for His protection?
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Do you think God hears you when you pray to Him?
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If God does not answer a prayer immediately, the way you think it
should be answered, or at all, what is your typical response?
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In the verse listed above, is David asking with belief or disbelief?
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Week 3: Day 5
Read Psalm 51:19.
Then You will delight in righteous sacrifices, In burnt offering and whole
burnt offering; Then young bulls will be offered on Your altar.
Psalm 51:19
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Why does David say God does not delight in sacrifices in verse 16,
and then turn around and say God will delight in sacrifices in verse
19?
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What is the overall theme of Psalm 51?
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How can we better understand the forgiveness of our sins based on
this Psalm?
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What is the biggest takeaway God desires from you?
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Take time to pray and thank God for what He has taught you
through this study.
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