Psalm 32:1-7 (NRSV)
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Verse 1Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
Verse 2Happy are those to whom the Lord imputes no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
Verse 3While I kept silence, my body wasted away through my groaning all day long.
Verse 4For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah
Verse 5Then I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not hide my iniquity; I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the Lord," and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah
Verse 6Therefore let all who are faithful offer prayer to you; at a time of distress, the rush of mighty waters shall not reach them.
Verse 7You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with glad cries of deliverance. Selah
Devotion
Blessed is the one whose sins are covered and transgressions are forgiven, says David in this psalm. David speaks from experience. In order to experience the joy of forgiveness, David had to acknowledge he had done wrong in the sight of the Lord. He had to be courageous and confess his sins, hiding nothing. Then God, who is merciful and slow to anger, forgave David, who became a new man.
Forgiveness is a part of who God is. God is ever ready to forgive his children. From the time of disobedience, the Bible talks about God’s forgiving nature. God showed his loving forgiveness to the world through Jesus Christ. We find God’s ultimate expression of forgiveness through faith in Jesus Christ. What a joy and a blessing it is to know that God in Jesus Christ is there to forgive us when we acknowledge our sins and confess to him.
Prayer
God of forgiveness, thank you for being just and loving to us and for accepting us as we are. We are so privileged to know that our God is a God of love, grace and forgiveness. We ask you to keep our faith in you and share this faith with others so that the world will come to know, Jesus who is the Lord of forgiveness. Amen.