Psalms

Psalms 32: The LORD forgives confessed sin

Begin in prayer

Before we speak about the blessing of forgiveness, let us bring our hidden sins before God. Pray for pardon through Jesus and a willing heart that welcomes the instruction of the Lord who forgives.

He answered and spoke to those who stood before him, saying, “Take the filthy garments off of him.” To him he said, “Behold, I have caused your iniquity to pass from you, and I will clothe you with rich clothing.”

Zechariah 3:4

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word, and help us to see Christ. Show us that God forgives confessed sin and teaches those who trust Him to walk willingly in His way. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

David begins with the blessing of forgiven disobedience, covered sin and guilt that the LORD does not count against a person. He remembers the misery of silence while God's heavy hand drained his strength. When he acknowledged his sin instead of hiding it, God forgave him. That mercy becomes a call for the godly to pray while God may be found and take shelter in Him. Instruction follows, warning against the stubbornness of a horse or mule that must be controlled. The song ends with sorrow for the wicked, surrounding loving kindness for those who trust the LORD, and a call to rejoice.

As you read Psalms 32, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD forgives sin, surrounds those who trust Him with loving kindness, and teaches them His way.

David's opening blessing concerns the removal of guilt, because God forgives disobedience and no longer charges the sinner with it. The absence of deceit belongs with this mercy, as the forgiven person stops concealing his sin. Silence had left David groaning under God's heavy hand, like strength drying away in summer heat. Confession brings his hidden guilt before the Lord, and forgiveness answers his acknowledgment. His experience gives urgency to prayer while God may be found, with God Himself becoming the hiding place amid trouble. The promise of instruction then calls for understanding, willing obedience instead of the resistance that makes an animal need a bridle. Many sorrows await the wicked, while loving kindness surrounds the person who trusts the LORD. Paul uses this opening blessing in Romans 4 verses 6 to 8 to explain righteousness counted apart from works.

How does Psalm 32 show us that the LORD forgives sin, surrounds those who trust Him with loving kindness, and teaches them His way?

The LORD forgives the sinner who stops hiding guilt.

David's silence could not lift the weight of God's hand. He acknowledged the sin he had concealed and received forgiveness. God's pardon gives him reason to urge others to pray while the Lord may be found.

The LORD shelters and teaches those who trust Him.

The God whose hand pressed David becomes his hiding place. Instruction calls him to listen willingly instead of resisting like an animal needing a bridle. Loving kindness surrounds the trusting person, so the upright are called to rejoice in the LORD.

Memorise

Blessed is he whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is covered.

Psalm 32:1

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what wrong am I keeping silent about instead of telling Jesus?

David remembers, “you forgave the iniquity of my sin.” Hiding had left him exhausted, and confession brought his guilt into the open before God. The blessing he celebrates is pardon he could never create for himself.

Our own silence cannot remove our guilt. Jesus bore the punishment of His people's sins and died in their place. God raised the sinless Saviour whose death had answered for His guilty people. The whole debt His people owed is paid, so their forgiven standing rests on a completed rescue beyond their own promises. Nothing remains to be earned before God can count the believer righteous through Him.

Turn from sin and trust Jesus. He forgives everyone who comes to Him for mercy. Confess the wrong you have been covering, and ask Him for a willing heart that receives His instruction. The Lord who pardons His people also surrounds them with loving kindness and gives them reason to rejoice.

Parent's note

Tell your children that God forgives confessed sin and teaches those who trust Him to walk willingly in His way. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for forgiving sin and surrounding those who trust Him with loving kindness. Bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

She said, “No one, Lord.” Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you. Go your way. From now on, sin no more.”

John 8:11

Merciful Lord, You know the sins we have tried to conceal. Please give us honest hearts to confess them and trust Jesus for pardon. Thank You that His finished sacrifice is enough. Teach us to listen willingly, turn from stubbornness and rejoice in Your forgiving mercy through this week. Amen.