THE BLESSING OF GOD'S FORGIVENESS

Passage: Psalms 32:1-11

Key verse: 1

NIV

Psalm 32
Of David. A maskil.[a]

1 Blessed is the one
    whose transgressions are forgiven,
    whose sins are covered.(A)
2 Blessed is the one
    whose sin the Lord does not count against them(B)
    and in whose spirit is no deceit.(C)

3 When I kept silent,(D)
    my bones wasted away(E)
    through my groaning(F) all day long.
4 For day and night
    your hand was heavy(G) on me;
my strength was sapped(H)
    as in the heat of summer.[b]

5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you
    and did not cover up my iniquity.(I)
I said, “I will confess(J)
    my transgressions(K) to the Lord.”
And you forgave
    the guilt of my sin.(L)

6 Therefore let all the faithful pray to you
    while you may be found;(M)
surely the rising(N) of the mighty waters(O)
    will not reach them.(P)
7 You are my hiding place;(Q)
    you will protect me from trouble(R)
    and surround me with songs of deliverance.(S)

8 I will instruct(T) you and teach you(U) in the way you should go;
    I will counsel you with my loving eye on(V) you.
9 Do not be like the horse or the mule,
    which have no understanding
but must be controlled by bit and bridle(W)
    or they will not come to you.
10 Many are the woes of the wicked,(X)
    but the Lord’s unfailing love
    surrounds the one who trusts(Y) in him.

11 Rejoice in the Lord(Z) and be glad, you righteous;
    sing, all you who are upright in heart!

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Footnotes
  1. Psalm 32:1 Title: Probably a literary or musical term
  2. Psalm 32:4 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verses 5 and 7.
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source: BibleGateway

ESV

Blessed Are the Forgiven

A Maskil[a] of David.

32 (A)Blessed is the one whose (B)transgression is forgiven,
    whose sin is covered.
2 Blessed is the man against whom the Lord (C)counts no iniquity,
    and in whose spirit (D)there is no deceit.

3 For when I kept silent, my (E)bones wasted away
    through my (F)groaning all day long.
4 For day and night your (G)hand was heavy upon me;
    my strength was dried up[b] as by the heat of summer. Selah

5 I (H)acknowledged my sin to you,
    and I did not cover my iniquity;
I said, “I (I)will confess my transgressions to the Lord,”
    and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah

6 Therefore let everyone who is (J)godly
    offer prayer to you at a time when you (K)may be found;
surely in the rush of (L)great waters,
    they shall not reach him.
7 You are a (M)hiding place for me;
    you preserve me from (N)trouble;
    you surround me with (O)shouts of deliverance. Selah

8 I will (P)instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
    I will (Q)counsel you with my eye upon you.
9 (R)Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding,
    which must be curbed with (S)bit and bridle,
    or it will not stay near you.

10 (T)Many are the sorrows of the wicked,
    but steadfast love surrounds the one who (U)trusts in the Lord.
11 (V)Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous,
    and (W)shout for joy, all you (X)upright in heart!

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Footnotes
  1. Psalm 32:1 Probably a musical or liturgical term
  2. Psalm 32:4 Hebrew my vitality was changed
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Source: BibleGateway

1. David experiences God's forgiveness (1-7)

The blessed person is the one who has received God's mercy and forgiveness. The burden of their sin has been lifted and it is no longer counted against them. Such people are honest about their sin with both God and themselves. They no longer try to hide their sin or ignore it. To do so would be to deceive themselves. When David was silent about his sin, he felt crushed under the weight of his guilt and shame. However, when he confessed his sin, God was faithful to forgive him. David's advice to everyone is to seek God while he can be found. Those who trust in God are hidden in him and receive protection and deliverance.

2. Listen to God's counsel (8-11)

It is far better to listen to God's counsel and obey his word than to have to be disciplined all the time like a horse or a stubborn mule. God doesn't want us to be that way. Instead, he wants to teach us the right way to live in his sight. Those who trust him like this will be surrounded by his wonderful, unfailing love. David went from the depths of despair to the heights of joy. This happens when we confess our sins and trust in the LORD.

Prayer: Father, we rejoice in your goodness.

One Word: God forgave the guilt of my sin