1. What did David ask the LORD? Why? What is discipline as defined indirectly in this psalm? What is wrath? Was David a true believer? What does that mean relationship wise in this psalm? Who did David say was responsible for this great illness, God or him?
2. How had sin affected David? (5-6) Consider the effects of David's sin as conveyed in verses 7 and 8. Was it too late for David? Would he, previously called "one after God's heart" die in his sin?
3. What lies open to the LORD? What is a longing? A sigh? What does it mean "the light has gone from my eyes"? (9-10) Why might David's friends and companions avoid him? Why did some seek his life? (11-12)
II. O LORD My Savior (38:13-22)
4. What is David saying in verses 13-14? Why the silence? How does David show faith in God? What had he said?
5. What did David believe about his future? How can this be reconciled with his prayer for healing? What does he acknowledge about the cause of his pain? What did Jesus teach us about the world's hate for us? (19-20; Matthew 24:9; John 15:18-21)
6. What does forsake mean? Why does he ask this? What does he need help with? Though he sinned, does he have a right to ask this?
III. My Hope is in You, Save Me From All My Transgressions (39:1-13)
7. What did David decide to do? (1-2) Why? What happened when he tried that? When does this happen to a person? How did David detail his anguish in verse 3? What did he try to do? Did his attempts are restoring peace succeed? What change of direction did he commence in?
8. What did he scream? (4) Why could be some reasons that he he ask the Lord to do this? How does verse 5 help understand what David was thinking that caused so much anxiety of soul?
9. How does verse 6 continue the thought revealed in verses 4 and 5? How did his son Solomon state the same in Ecclesiastes? How does Jesus say the same in the parable of the rich fool? (Luke 12:20-21) What was revealed to David when he shouted out to God about his heart struggle? (7-8) Was this illness a life-altering event? Can good come from pain and tragedy? Why did David say he had remained silent? (9) Since he finally spoke what did he now request? (10) What does verse 12 reveal he knew and learned?
10. What had David knew about his anguish, pain, suffering and illness? (10) Was he so special? Why did he say "look away from me? What does this mean?
