Meditation:     

Psalm 32:  The Forgiveness of Sin

The blessing or happiness that transcends all other human joy!

David composed this psalm after Nathan came to him. Psalm 51 was the confession of his great sin and prayer for forgiveness. Psalm 32 is the record of the confession made, the forgiveness obtained, and the blessedness of his position as a sinner restored to God’s favour.

I. WHAT MADE UP THIS GREAT BLESSING?

1.  The fact of deliverance from the guilt and punishment of his sin.

a)  We must come to terms with the reality and seriousness of our sin! David recognised his sin and guilt. He acknowledged it, and found forgiveness! vv 1-2, 5.

b) What is sin?  SIN is a lack of conformity to the moral law of God, either in act, disposition, or state. There are sinful acts; there are sinful habits, and sinful condition (state) of the soul. We have a totally sinful heart, and this is the basis of our sinful habits, and these manifest themselves in sinful deeds. SIN includes both ‘guilt’ and ‘pollution’.

c) Three expressions for forgiveness of sin in verse 1.
i. Lifting of a burden – Christ bore the burden, Isa.53.6
ii. Covering of a stain – not hiding them ourselves - but as the Blood on the Mercy Seat blotted out Israel’s sin, Titus 3.5 
iii. Cancellation of a Debt – God no longer reckons sin to their charge or places them to their account, 2 Cor.5.19; Ro. 4.6

2. The joyful consciousness of pardon and reconciliation to God.
     v.5 “You forgave the iniquity of my sin”;  v. 11“Be glad in the LORD and rejoice…..shout for joy”  
3. God’s Guidance, preservation and deliverance for the future. Vs. 7, 8

II   HOW WAS THIS BLESSING OBTAINED?
                                i.            He recognised and confessed his guilt – v. 2 ‘guile’
                              ii.            He no longer sought to hide it – v.3-4
                            iii.            Formula for ‘repentance’ – v.5

III   IS THIS BLESSING FOR EVERYONE?
                                i.            David’s case illustrates the way for all sinners to obtain pardon! v.6a
                              ii.            Assurance of eternal preservation from the waters of judgement v.6b
                            iii.            Delivered from Judgement (6b) 

• Hidden from wrath  (7a)  God, his City of Refuge!
• Preserved from Trouble (7b) victory over all the trials of life
• Encircled with Singing (7c)  the final deliverance songs in Heaven!


     IV   THIS BLESSING INCLUDES DIVINE GUIDANCE

v.8 – Promise of Guidance
v.9 – Warning
v.10 –Statement - No mercy promised the unsaved who are like the horse and mule: but sorrow now and hell hereafter!
v.11 – Triumphant Exhortation.

__ Michael Browne

Grace & Peace e-periodical
Vol. 19 No. 4| April 2024

 In this issue: -

Editorial: The Power of Preaching
Perspective: Preach the Word!
Outline:-1Paul's First Sermon
Outline:-2 Products of Preaching
Anecdote: Preacher at the Right Place
Study: Lessons from Apostolic Preaching
Practical: Expository Preaching
Meditation: The Forgiveness of Sin
Gospel:- Good Tidings

Worthy quote: Preaching