Forgiveness – Psalm 32

Paul quotes this wisdom psalm of David in Romans 4 as he seeks to defend his understanding of the gospel.  Salvation is by faith alone, not works.  David confirms this when he says there is the blessing of salvation that comes from God when He does not count our iniquity against us.  It is not that we don’t have iniquity, but that God doesn’t hold it against us.  He declares us righteous before Him even though we are not actually righteous.  Justification by faith.

A Maskil of David.

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.

For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.  For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah

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

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.  You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.  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.

Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the LORD.  Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!  (Psalm 32 ESV)

Given the reality that we all sin, where can we find true happiness and blessedness?  Only in confession of that sin and the experience of God’s forgiveness.  When we fail to acknowledge our sin God graciously yet painfully lays His hand upon us, making us miserable and weak.  But when we do not delay to confess, for delay risks failing to find God’s forgiveness, we realize we had nothing to fear in God but rather find Him to be our greatest advocate. 

David challenges us, then, not to be foolish like the resistant mule or horse, which brings sorrows, but to trust in Yahweh and find our joy in Him and His forgiveness.