LESSON AIM

1. We will be reminded that GOD forgives sins

2. We will become committed to confess and forsake our sins before GOD

3. We will be willing to forgive others for the sins that are committed against us

KEEP IN MIND

“Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered” (Psalm 32:1).

The aim of this lesson is to assure you that you do not have to live with guilt any more. GOD is willing to forgive you and restore the joy of your salvation. The truths of this lesson are presented to assure those who still struggle with guilt that they can rejoice in the knowledge that they are forgiven.

By way of background, Like Psalm 42, Psalm 32 is a maschil, or instructional psalm written to help those who hear it to become wise in their dealings with the LORD. David is the author of the psalm and like Psalm 51, Psalm 32 is known as “penitential” because it expresses the need of confessing one’s sins and the hope of forgiveness from the LORD. David shares with the LORD (and with us) the depth of his sorrow over his sins and the joy he experiences because of GOD’S forgiveness. David makes it clear that when we acknowledge our sins before GOD, HE stands ready to offer forgiveness. Once our slates are clean, we will experience true and lasting joy that can only come from a pure relationship with the FATHER.

1. THE BLESSINGS OF BEING FORGIVEN (Psalm 32:1-2)

We are not given the time of or the events that surround King David’s writing of this psalm. Many scholars believe that David wrote these words in Psalm 51 shortly after he slept with Bathsheba, had her husband Uriah killed in battle, and refused to “own up” to his sinful ways until the Prophet Nathan confronted him (see 2 Samuel 12:1-14).

It is clear in this psalm that King David recognizes and understands the power of confession and the need to seek forgiveness for sin. He begins Psalm 51 by using the word “blessed.” Often, this word is defined as “prosperous” and, in some cases, it also means “happy.” Thus, David knows that those who acknowledge their “transgressions”—wickedness, rebellion, revolt, apostasy, and even faithlessness—against the LORD will experience the joy of being forgiven, but their sins will be “covered” also (v.1).

David uses words in the original language that point to a national cleansing for those who belong to GOD. The only remedy for our sins, which provides forgiveness and causes sins to be “covered over” completely so that they will no longer be in view, is through the shed blood of our LORD and SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST. The Bible affirms that without the shedding of blood there is no remission for sin. In the Old Testament, GOD instituted a temporal sacrificial system to atone for the people’s sins while looking forward to the perfect sacrifice of JESUS CHRIST. In the new dispensation, GOD used HIS own blood as the means of wiping our slates clean of sin (Hebrews 9:11-28). Those of us who have accepted JESUS CHRIST as our personal LORD and SAVIOR have access to GOD’S forgiveness and joy every time we confess our sins (1 John 1:9).

David understands that those persons are blessed to whom GOD does not “impute” iniquity and who do not allow guile to enter into their hearts. The word “impute” is an accounting term, which denotes that GOD does not register on our account sinful deeds and actions. GOD used this term in describing Abraham’s faith as being “credited” as righteousness (see Genesis 15:6; Romans 4:3). Because of JESUS’ efficacious work on the cross, we are washed clean from sins; and the true believer does not allow a sinful lifestyle and constant rebellion to rule in his or her heart.

2. THE IMPORTANCE OF ASKING FOR FORGIVENESS (vv.3-5)

What happens to those who refuse to seek forgiveness even when they know they have transgressed against GOD? Perhaps more than anyone else, David had firsthand experience with this dilemma. Those who live in rebellion, yet attempt to approach GOD as if they have done nothing wrong will feel the effect of their sin. David says that their “bones will wax old” (v.2). In other words, un-confessed sin has a debilitating affect on the believer that not only wears on the emotions, but also on the body.

David could not sleep because the LORD would not allow him to. There was no rest for David as long as he refused to repent of his ways. GOD’S hand was “heavy” upon the king. The word “heavy” means to be “severe,” “grievous,” and “hard.” While GOD does not want to destroy HIS children because of their sins, HE must be true to HIS WORD when dealing with those who refuse to repent. GOD’S severity is often tempered by HIS mercy. At the same time, however, we cannot use GOD’S mercy as a license for sin. David knows that those who do will suffer physical consequences as well as emotional turmoil. Just as summer heat can sap our strength and make us listless, so can sin do the same in our spiritual lives.

When Nathan came to David and confronted him with the fact that he had sinned, David cried out to the LORD and acknowledged his wrongdoing. The word “acknowledged” means “to be familiar with and announce one’s situation.” What good is trying to hide something that GOD already knows? David affirms the importance of confessing his sins to the LORD. The word “confess” means “to agree with GOD.” We don’t need to deceive ourselves by asking. “What is sin?” Every believer in CHRIST knows those things we do which are grievous to GOD. Like David, we need to be honest with ourselves and with GOD by “owning up” to our own failures. Here, David acknowledges his sins to GOD and no longer attempts to conceal them from the LORD. Once the king confesses his sins to GOD, GOD is merciful and compassionate to offer forgiveness to David.

GOD loves us and wants only the best for HIS children. When we come to HIM confessing and repenting of our sins, HE keeps HIS promises to show mercy and compassion to the repentant sinner (see Luke 15:18-20). DO YOU NEED TO COME TO GOD TODAY?

3. SEEK GOD FOR FORGIVENESS (vv. 6-9)

David also realizes that there is a time and season for people to come to GOD in prayer and ask for forgiveness. We do not have to wait until we get to church on Sunday, nor do we have to seek intercession by a preacher to ask the LORD’S forgiveness. The king admonishes us to pray to GOD “in a time when [HE] may be found” (Psalm 32:6). In other words, when we sin, we should go quickly to the LORD and seek HIS forgiveness and mercy. We should not “play” with sin or allow it to remain on our accounts. Scripture declares that we must seek the LORD while HE may be found and forsake our unrighteous ways (Isaiah 55:6-7).

What happens to those who truly confess their sins and ask the LORD for HIS mercy and forgiveness? In verse 7, David says that GOD becomes our “hiding place” from the troubles of life. Indeed, GOD places us under the shadow of HIS wing (Psalm 91:1-4) and protects the believer while he or she experiences difficult times so that we might sing “songs of deliverance” to our GOD. We can be assured that the ALMIGHTY GOD is with us always; even in times of troubles, HE promises to never leave us or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).

In verse 8-9, GOD speaks to those persons who choose to repent as well as to those who do not. For the repentant believer, GOD promises to help us through life’s most pressing problems with HIS eye ever upon us. We can be sure that GOD will cause us to hear HIS voice—whether through sermons, music, literature, radio, or television—whatever medium HE chooses to guide and direct our journey (Proverbs 3:5-6). On the other hand, GOD affirms that those persons who choose to do their own thing are like “the horse or…the mule” who must be guided by a bit that is placed in their mouths (Psalm 32:9). Because of their stubbornness and refusal to acknowledge GOD and their sins, they cannot hear GOD. Therefore, they allow their carnal nature to lead and guide them. As a result, they are left to suffer the full consequences of their actions.

4. RECEIVING JOY WHEN WE ARE FORGIVEN (vv.10-11)

David understands that those persons who choose to walk in their own rebellious ways will experience sorrow and sadness of heart. He should know. Although GOD forgave David, Nathan acknowledged that the sword would never leave his house (2 Samuel 12:1-14). David and Bathsheba’s infant son died; his daughter Tamar was raped; two of his sons, Ammon and Absalom, were murdered; and the nation of Israel suffered the consequences of David’s sinful behavior when he chose to disobey GOD by taking a census of his army (2 Samuel 24:1-25).

David understood the sorrows one would know as a result of rebelling against GOD. But he also knew the joy and gladness that comes when we put our trust in the LORD by confessing and forsaking our sins and allowing GOD to cleanse us. Truly, David could rejoice in the LORD and sing songs of deliverance because GOD had been faithful to the king and imputed righteousness to his account.

We can shout the victory and rejoice in the LORD when we receive forgiveness for our sins. GOD has given us the assurance of forgiveness by sending JESUS CHRIST to die on our behalf. How tragic and tormenting it must be when someone refuses to accept GOD’S free gift of forgiveness and salvation. We need to remind those persons who are outside the ark of safety that they are welcomed by GOD when they confess and repent of their sins. Indeed, they will experience the joy of gladness that GOD has for all who desire to become pure in heart and forsake their sins.

Spiritually Yours,

Rev. Chris Lowe, Sr., DD

Email Dr. Lowe

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