Psalm Thirty-Two: A Call for Repentance

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Psalm 32

Blessed is the one
    whose transgressions are forgiven,
    whose sins are covered.
 
Blessed is the one
    whose sin the Lord does not count against them
    and in whose spirit is no deceit.

When I kept silent,
    my bones wasted away
    through my groaning all day long.
 
For day and night
    your hand was heavy on me;
my strength was sapped
    as in the heat of summer.

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.

Therefore let all the faithful pray to you
    while you may be found;
surely the rising of the mighty waters
    will not reach them.
 
You are my hiding place;
    you will protect me from trouble
    and surround me with songs of deliverance.

I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
    I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.
 
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.
 
Many are the woes of the wicked,
    but the Lord’s unfailing love
    surrounds the one who trusts in him.

Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous;
    sing, all you who are upright in heart!
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It is pretty clear that this Psalm is calling for repentance. Look at the contrast from the first paragraph to the second. The first paragraph talks about the those whose transgressions (sins) are forgiven. These people are blessed! But then look, David says that he kept silent and his bones wasted away! He doesn't mean that they literally wasted away, but more that he was a shell of himself. His sin was eroding David away. It was consuming him! But look! He says that he then acknowledged his sin to God and was forgiven! David is telling us to confess our sins to the Lord and allow his forgiveness to transform us. No matter what sin we have committed, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and purify us from all of our unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). Today, will you take a moment to confess your sins to God and ask for forgiveness? No sin is too big or too scary for God! Don't waste away, give that sin to God and allow his life to transform you from the inside out.

What stood out to you in this Psalm?
Have you experienced the transforming grace of God in your life? 

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