Psalm 32: Praise for Forgiveness

​Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, 
whose sin is covered. 
2    Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, 
and in whose spirit there is no deceit. 
3    For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away 
through my groaning all day long. 
4    For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; 
my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah
5    I acknowledged my sin to you, 
and I did not cover my iniquity; 
       I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,”
and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah
6    Therefore let everyone who is godly 
offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found; 
       surely in the rush of great waters, 
they shall not reach him. 
7    You are a hiding place for me; 
you preserve me from trouble; 
you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah
8    I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; 
I will counsel you with my eye upon you. 
9    Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, 
which must be curbed with bit and bridle, 
or it will not stay near you. 
10    Many are the sorrows of the wicked, 
but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord.
11    Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, 
and shout for joy, all you upright in heart! 
 
Meditation
The forgiveness of God fuels praise from the lips and lives of His people. Penitent hearts praise the Lord knowing, “if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to cleanse us from our sin and purify us from all unrighteousness.” (1 John 1:9)
 
Sinning saints who sit in silence forfeit the fruit of forgiveness. Three words for sin, “transgression, sin, and iniquity” (1-2) are matched with three words of promise for those who trust in the steadfast love of the Lord for forgiveness, “gladness, rejoicing, and joy” (10-11).  God meets us personally and leads us from groaning over sin to gladness of heart.
 
“Cover” captures the first section, celebration of God’s faithfulness to cover sin (1) and the freedom His grace gives to uncover our sin, repent, and begin again (5). Praise pours forth from hearts trusting God for mercy (6-10). God is our hiding place. God preserves us. God delivers. “Steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord!” (10)
 
Paul joins the chorus by using this psalm to praise Jesus for the righteousness He gives to cover our sin (Romans 4:6-8) and places such as Proverbs reinforces the simple truth: “Whoever conceals their sin will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes sin will obtain mercy.” (Proverbs 28:13)
 
If we say we are without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us (1 John 1:8). When we uncover our sin to receive forgiveness, repent, and begin again then praise will pour forth from both our lips and our lives.
 
Richly Dwelling
-What stands out to you from today’s psalm, particularly the power of uncovering sin?
 
-Do you walk in the light, confessing your sin and welcoming God’s forgiveness? OR do you live in darkness, deceiving yourself and missing the power of God’s grace? Be honest.
 
-Ask Holy Spirit to search your heart. Pray through the ten commandments and repent of everything He brings up. Put your life in the light and allow your heart to know the “steadfast love of the Lord surrounds you!” when you trust in the person and work of Jesus.
 
Key Verse
5  I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin.