Psalms Reading – 1.31.2022
Psalm 32
Of David. A maskil.
1 Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.
2 Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit.
2 Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit.
3 When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.
4 For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer.
4 For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer.
5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity.
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin.
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin.
6 Therefore let all the faithful pray to you while you may be found;
surely the rising of the mighty waters will not reach them.
7 You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble
and surround me with songs of deliverance.
surely the rising of the mighty waters will not reach them.
7 You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble
and surround me with songs of deliverance.
8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.
9 Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding
but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you.
10 Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in him.
I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.
9 Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding
but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you.
10 Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in him.
11 Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!
The ancient church identified this psalm as one of seven penitential psalms. The other psalms of confession are from the perspective of waiting on God’s forgiveness. This psalm is unique in that it focuses on the release that David felt after he finally confessed his sins.
David began by celebrating the joyful state enjoyed by all who have been forgiven. The Lord graciously covers the sin so that He no longer counts it or remembers it anymore.
However, before David confessed, he felt the horrible weight of guilt that affected his whole well-being. When we are not well spiritually, we will not be well in other ways.
You may know this uncomfortable feeling if you have ever been in an ongoing sin where you did not confess or turn away from it. Maybe, you felt the guilt but could not break out of the sin. Guilt is actually God’s gift that lets us know when we are not right with Him. It is meant to be a strong motivator to cause us to confess and change our ways so that we can live in the freedom God has always intended for us to enjoy.
When we sincerely, wholeheartedly acknowledge our sin to God, the weight is lifted. The guilt is gone. Peace enters in. The relationship is restored. We are among the blessed.
Memory Verse:
Psalm 32:1, Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.
Question(s) to Consider:
Is there a sin that you have not confessed or turned away from? What will it take for you to do so?