Psalm 32:1–7

Bible Studies for Life
Assistant to the President for Church Relations, Samford University

The Shelter of God’s Forgiveness

Psalm 32:1–7

Have you ever failed God only to feel that you had disqualified yourself for future use? So many Christians have simply given up in their service to the Lord because they feel unworthy or sadly unwanted by God. 

As we celebrate this Christmas season, the Baby in the manger should be a stark reminder that God forgives our sin, no matter the severity. 

There is no doubt that God forgives our sins when we confess them but are we able to move past our failures to a time of future effectiveness?

 Psalm 32 is a great reminder that forgiveness is available and we don’t have to live under the guilt of sin. When we live under the shelter of God’s forgiveness we experience a peace only God can give. 

David is a perfect example of this. He had sinned with Bathsheba and made things much worse when he attempted to cover it up. 

When God sent Nathan to point out David’s failures (2 Sam. 11–12), he expressed godly remorse (Ps. 51). David found forgiveness and Psalm 32 is an expression of a forgiven heart. This Psalm is known as a “penitential” Psalm.

Joy and Blessing are the By-Products of God’s Forgiveness. (1–2)

David uses three different words to describe his sin. “Transgressions” means to rebel against God. “Sin” means to miss the mark of the holiness of God and “iniquity” means to be twisted or crooked. David intentionally uses these words to denote the seriousness of his actions. 

Yet in spite of the use of these three wicked words the first two verses are jubilant in nature, taking the form of beatitudes. Both begin with the word “blessed,” giving the tenor of a man who is experiencing pure happiness. Why is he so happy? In contrast to the three wicked words for his actions he also expresses three words for what God does with the sin. 

First He “forgives” the sin. The word literally means to have sins lifted off. Second he “covers” the sin. This is a strong term taken from the Day of Atonement where the priest covers the mercy seat with the blood of the sacrifice. Finally he does not “impute” or count against us our wrongs. It is an accounting term that means that God doesn’t record the sin on our ledger. The righteousness of Christ is “imputed” toward us, but our sins are not (Rom. 3:24). Oh the joy.

There is No Forgiveness Without Confession. (3–5)

These verses stand in great contrast to the emotions that David experienced. In verses 3–4 he shares his misery. Unconfessed sin has dramatic results on the mental, physical and spiritual well-being of the sinner. 

When God is convicting you of wrongs it feels as though your strength and vitality have been lost. He does this because of His great love (Heb. 12:6). However, when we confess our sins and repent of our wrongs we experience unbridled joy. 

In verse 5 he once again shares the three wicked words but notice the last phrase in the verse, “And You forgave the iniquity of my sins.” God’s forgiveness is comprehensive and immediate.

Living in a Restored Relationship with God Places Us Under His Care. (6–7)

David turns his attention to others who need the same deliverance. If we want to be godly in our character, David said we should pray to God. There should be immediacy in our confession. We should do it today while God’s grace is available to us and forgiveness is attainable. We should pray because we will enjoy the protection of the Lord. 

David shows how God places us under the protection of His care as forgiven children. God hides us, preserves us and surrounds us from the effects of sin once we confess our transgressions.