1 Blessed is the one
whose transgressions are forgiven,
whose sins are covered.
2 Blessed is the one
whose sin the Lord does not count against them
and in whose spirit is no deceit.
Begin this study of Psalm 32 trusting the Lord to forgive your sins.
Describe how forgiveness makes a person "blessed":
3 When I kept silent,
my bones wasted away
through my groaning all day long.
4 For day and night
your hand was heavy on me;
my strength was sapped
as in the heat of summer.
Considering verses 3-4, how does ignoring or hiding our sins affect us?
5 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.
1 John 1:9 is a famous paraphrase of this verse. What are the actions of the person and what are the actions of God? Why are these so important in the Christian faith?
6 Therefore let all the faithful pray to you
while you may be found;
surely the rising of the mighty waters
will not reach them.
7 You are my hiding place;
you will protect me from trouble
and surround me with songs of deliverance.
What does it mean that people should pray to God while He "may be found"?
When you face trouble, where do you most often turn? What does it actually look like to seek protection from God?
8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.
9 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.
10 Many are the woes of the wicked,
but the Lord’s unfailing love
surrounds the one who trusts in him.
11 Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous;
sing, all you who are upright in heart! NIV
In verses 8-11, David switches into the role of a teacher. How does David's personal experience with sin and forgiveness allow him to take on this role?
What characteristics of God are taught in verses 8-10?
What characteristics of the process of faith are taught in verses 8-11?
Take time again to confess any sin to the Lord. Then take time to rejoice and be glad.
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