What are the penitential psalms?

Answer

The book of Psalms is a collection of 150 poems, hymns, and songs originating from worship in ancient Israel. Throughout history, church fathers and Bible scholars have classified individual psalms into various categories based on their content, theme, and structure. One grouping known as the penitential psalms shares the common feature of expressing penitence—the psalmist’s sorrow over sin and spiritual failure.

There are seven penitential psalms: Psalms 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, and 143. In each, the author acknowledges or confesses his transgressions before the Lord and recognizes his need for God’s favor and forgiveness. The penitential psalms serve as appropriate prayers for the repentant sinner.

As early as the time of Origen (AD 184–253) and Augustine (AD 354–430), the penitential psalms were designated for liturgical use in the Christian church for the confession of sin and repentance. Medieval Pope Innocent III (AD 1161–1216) ordered that the penitential psalms be recited during Lent and Holy Week. The Roman Breviary, an ancient service book of the priests of the Roman Catholic Church, provided a special section for the penitential psalms. Similarly, the Church of England’s Book of Common Prayer designates the penitential psalms as suitable for use on Ash Wednesday and in other Lenten prayer services.

The most well-known penitential psalm, Psalm 51, has been referred to as the Sinner’s Guide. It is King David’s prayer of repentance after the prophet Nathan confronted him with his sins (2 Samuel 12). David had committed adultery with Bathsheba and attempted to conceal it by arranging the death of her husband, Uriah. The words of Psalm 51 flow from David’s deepest moment of self-awareness. He acknowledges the gravity of his sin and guilt and implores God’s mercy. Then, filled with confidence in God’s faithfulness, David trusts that his plea will be heard and answered. Psalm 32, the subsequent psalm, continues the theme of repentance and forgiveness.

Up to this psalm, it is evident that God indeed grants David’s prayer. Besides serving as a personal prayer of confession, contrition, and restoration, Psalm 51 also articulates the plea for repentance and salvation from the nation of Israel.

Psalm 6, the initial of the penitential psalms, portrays the author in profound affliction, weary in body and spirit, earnestly appealing to God for mercy and relief from punishment. Once again, the psalmist here is David, who has been enduring an illness. Trusting in God’s gracious response, David concludes his prayer with the assurance that God will listen and assist him.

Psalm 38 is the supplication of an individual afflicted by an illness that he interprets as a punishment from God. The psalmist acknowledges his sins and implores God for forgiveness. Similarly, Psalm 102 is the lament of an individual who is unwell, suffering, isolated, and under threat from enemies. However, in this prayer, the psalmist seeks help for both himself and for Jerusalem. Psalm 102 intertwines personal concerns with those of the entire kingdom and includes a hymn of praise to God.

The writer of Psalm 130 does not specify the nature of his affliction or explicitly repent of sin. Nevertheless, he does demonstrate an awareness of his sinfulness and his dependence on God’s grace. The concluding verses imply that this penitential psalm is not solely an individual confession but a national plea of repentance for all of Israel.

The final of the seven penitential psalms is Psalm 143. It features a universal admission of guilt: “Don’t put your servant on trial, for no one is innocent before you” «And enter not into judgment with thy servant: For in thy sight shall no man living be justified. », (Psalm 143:2, NLT). However, this is the sole mention of sin and forgiveness in the psalm.

Repentance of one’s sins before a holy God is a prominent theme in Scripture, and the penitential psalms serve as excellent illustrations of the significance of repentance.

With a steadfast trust in the God of all grace and solace.