THERE IS FORGIVENESS IN THE LORD

Passage: Psalm 32:1-11

Key verse: 5

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!

Read full chapter
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

Ever since the first man and woman deliberately disobeyed God in the Garden of Eden (Gen 3), generation after generation of mankind has been separated from God. This broken relationship with God, caused by our sin, manifests in the world in broken relationships with others, pride, guilt, shame, violence, selfishness, and all kinds of wickedness. History shows that we are unable to solve our sin problem.

God, in his love and mercy, intervenes. David knew this. He confessed that the truly blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven, and sins are covered by the LORD. When David kept silent, hiding his sin, he became sick (3-4). He experienced God’s heavy hand against him. But when he confessed his sin to the LORD, God forgave him. Forgiveness of sins and removal of guilt are also available to us in Jesus Christ today (1 John 1:8-9). Does a burden of guilt and sin weigh on you? Humbly confess your sin to Jesus and he will forgive you.

When we come to the LORD as we are, confessing our sins, he saves us from death (6). God is our hiding place and protection. He gives us songs of deliverance. In Jesus, the Holy Spirit counsels us (8-9). Praise God for his unfailing love (10)!

Prayer: Father, thank you for forgiving us through Jesus. Help me to share this blessing with others.

One Word: Confess your sins; receive forgiveness