We can’t understand Christianity—or the world—without recognizing that our sin separates us from God (Isaiah 59:2). But the good news is that Jesus Christ took our punishment on Himself through His atoning death, making a right relationship with God possible (2 Corinthians 5:21).

Many believe this to be true, yet let their guilt keep them from seeking God in prayer. I’m convinced that instead of hindering our prayers, our guilt should drive us to prayer. After all, we have a great High Priest with mercy and grace for our times of need (Hebrews 4:15–16)!

How should we pray when burdened by sin? God has mercifully given us what are known as the seven Penitential Psalms to give us words for such times.

Martin Luther called them “The Pauline Psalms” for their message of grace apart from works. Augustine wept over them on his deathbed. He wanted to meet God not as a bishop or a famous theologian, but as a sanctified and repentant man.

May God use these psalms to deepen your contrition over sin and lift your eyes in faith to our God of mercy and grace.

Psalm 6 – A Prayer for Mercy During Trial

We don’t know the situation of David in this Psalm, but we know indirectly of his sin from the opening verses:

O Lord, rebuke me not in your anger,

nor discipline me in your wrath.

Be gracious to me, O Lord, for I am languishing;

heal me, O Lord, for my bones are troubled. (1–2)

David further describes his experience as “greatly troubled” (3), weary with moaning (6), and filled with his tears (6). His situation overwhelms him, but throughout his eyes are on his God and Deliverer (4). David ends the Psalm in confidence:

When we are worn out because of our sins and the scheming of our enemies, we too can cry out to God for mercy, confident that He will hear.

Psalm 32 – A Prayer Celebrating the Blessing of Forgiveness

David wrote Psalm 32 after Psalm 51. While Psalm 51 is a cry for mercy from a broken soul, Psalm 32 is the song of a forgiven soul.

Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven,

whose sin is covered.

Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity,

and in whose spirit there is no deceit. (1–2)

The first two verses proclaim a glorious truth: a sinner can be called blessed because he is forgiven. David suffered the devastating effects of living in sin (3-4) but found forgiveness after confession (5). He then invites every saint to pray and take joy in the Lord (6-11).

Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous,

and shout for joy, all you upright in heart! (11)

A young monk named Martin Luther despaired of his sin and would confess multiple times a day. He felt no assurance nor joy. God used Psalm 32, which is quoted in Romans 4:7–8, to open Luther’s eyes to the fact that righteousness has always been apart from works.

Related Teaching: Justification by Faith from the Watch Your Doctrine Course

Psalm 38 – A Lament of a Troubled Sinner

O Lord, rebuke me not in your anger, 

nor discipline me in your wrath! (1)

Psalm 38 focuses intensely on the physical, emotional, and relational toll of unconfessed sin:

There is no soundness in my flesh because of your indignation;

there is no health in my bones because of my sin. (3)

I am feeble and crushed; 

I groan because of the tumult of my heart. (8)

My friends and companions stand aloof from my plague, 

and my nearest kin stand far off. (11)

David’s sin crushes his whole existence. His enemies vigorously attack him, adding to the trial. And yet the entire Psalm is an exercise of faith in looking to God when weighed down by the effects of sin.

The Psalm doesn’t end on a high note like some other Psalms. Rather, David appeals to God in saying “Make haste to help me, O Lord, my salvation!” (22). When we face great darkness, we can cry out to God like David.

Psalm 51 – A Prayer of a Repentant Sinner

Alec Motyer called this psalm, “The Old Testament’s central text on repentance.” David penned this Psalm after the prophet Nathan confronted him about his adultery with Bathsheba and murder of her husband, Uriah. (Read the story in 2 Samuel 11-12.)

David cries out from the deepest part of his soul for mercy and transformation:

Have mercy on me, O God,

    according to your steadfast love;

according to your abundant mercy

    blot out my transgressions.

Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,

    and cleanse me from my sin! (1-2)

Create in me a clean heart, O God,

    and renew a right spirit within me. (10)

Although David languishes in the pits of despair, he pleads for joy:

When you feel crushed by the weight of your sin and its effects on your life, pray the words of Psalm 51. Let David’s faith drive you to hate your sin, plead for cleansing, and desire to teach others the ways of our merciful God (13).

Psalm 102 – A Lament of an Afflicted Sinner

Hear my prayer, O Lord; let my cry come to you!

Do not hide your face from me in the day of my distress!

Incline your ear to me;

answer me speedily in the day when I call! (1–2)

In verses 1–11, the psalmist is in anguish—emotionally, spiritually, and maybe even physically. He talks about bones burning, heart withering, and living like a lonely bird on a rooftop. He feels abandoned and overwhelmed.

Verses 12–22 shift from sorrow to eternal hope. Even though the psalmist feels crushed, he reminds himself that God is eternal, that He will restore Zion, and that future generations will praise Him. It’s one of the most striking turns from personal despair to communal and future hope in all the psalms.

The final section (verse 23-28) poetically says that even if we waste away, God endures and will be faithful to His people.

Psalm 130 – A Cry of Hope to a Hearing and Forgiving God

Psalm 130 will fill your soul with hope and give you strength to wait on the Lord. It begins with a cry from the depths (verse 1) before acknowledging sin and the transforming power of forgiveness:

If you, O Lord, should mark iniquities,

O Lord, who could stand?

But with you there is forgiveness,

that you may be feared. (3-4)

This psalm holds together sorrow over sin and confidence in God’s redeeming love. It teaches us to come honestly before God, not hiding our guilt, but also not doubting His grace. As we confess, we do so with hope, knowing that with the Lord, there is steadfast love and full redemption (7).

Psalm 143 – A Prayer for Guidance and Deliverance from Enemies

Psalm 143 is a plea for mercy and deliverance, marked by deep humility and dependence on God’s righteousness.

Hear my prayer, O Lord; 

give ear to my pleas for mercy! 

In your faithfulness answer me, in your righteousness! 

Enter not into judgment with your servant, 

for no one living is righteous before you. (1–2)

David recognizes his unworthiness before God in verse 2, setting the tone for a confession rooted not in self-justification, but in an honest appeal to God’s mercy.

The penitential heart of Psalm 143 is seen in the psalmist’s willingness to surrender and be led by God’s Spirit:

Teach me to do your will, for you are my God!

Let your good Spirit lead me on level ground! (10)

This psalm is useful for confession because it reminds us that forgiveness is not based on our merit, but on God’s faithfulness and grace. In our weakness, we can come humbly before God, trusting Him to cleanse, guide, and renew our hearts.

The Path of Hope

If you fail to take the garbage out of your house, what happens? It builds up and starts to stink. The same is true for our spiritual lives: when we neglect to remove the “spiritual trash” through prayers of confession, our hearts can quickly become cluttered and burdened.

As you bring these Psalms to God in prayer, you will not only draw nearer to Him but also develop a deeper aversion to sin. Confessing our sins is not a sign of failure as a Christian; rather, it is a profound expression of faith and a vital step toward spiritual renewal.

Embrace the path of hope that these penitential psalms offer, and allow God’s grace to cleanse and restore you.

Take the free course Pray the Bible for more instruction on Bible-fueled prayer.