THE BLESSING OF GOD'S FORGIVENESS
Passage: Psalm 32:1~11  
Key verse: 1
Psalm 32Of David. A maskil.[a]
1 Blessed is the one
whose transgressions are forgiven,
whose sins are covered.(A)
2 Blessed is the one
whose sin the Lord does not count against them(B)
and in whose spirit is no deceit.(C)
3 When I kept silent,(D)
my bones wasted away(E)
through my groaning(F) all day long.
4 For day and night
your hand was heavy(G) on me;
my strength was sapped(H)
as in the heat of summer.[b]
5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you
and did not cover up my iniquity.(I)
I said, “I will confess(J)
my transgressions(K) to the Lord.”
And you forgave
the guilt of my sin.(L)
6 Therefore let all the faithful pray to you
while you may be found;(M)
surely the rising(N) of the mighty waters(O)
will not reach them.(P)
7 You are my hiding place;(Q)
you will protect me from trouble(R)
and surround me with songs of deliverance.(S)
8 I will instruct(T) you and teach you(U) in the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my loving eye on(V) you.
9 Do not be like the horse or the mule,
which have no understanding
but must be controlled by bit and bridle(W)
or they will not come to you.
10 Many are the woes of the wicked,(X)
but the Lord’s unfailing love
surrounds the one who trusts(Y) in him.
11 Rejoice in the Lord(Z) and be glad, you righteous;
sing, all you who are upright in heart!
1 Blessed is the one
whose transgressions are forgiven,
whose sins are covered.(A)
2 Blessed is the one
whose sin the Lord does not count against them(B)
and in whose spirit is no deceit.(C)
3 When I kept silent,(D)
my bones wasted away(E)
through my groaning(F) all day long.
4 For day and night
your hand was heavy(G) on me;
my strength was sapped(H)
as in the heat of summer.[b]
5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you
and did not cover up my iniquity.(I)
I said, “I will confess(J)
my transgressions(K) to the Lord.”
And you forgave
the guilt of my sin.(L)
6 Therefore let all the faithful pray to you
while you may be found;(M)
surely the rising(N) of the mighty waters(O)
will not reach them.(P)
7 You are my hiding place;(Q)
you will protect me from trouble(R)
and surround me with songs of deliverance.(S)
8 I will instruct(T) you and teach you(U) in the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my loving eye on(V) you.
9 Do not be like the horse or the mule,
which have no understanding
but must be controlled by bit and bridle(W)
or they will not come to you.
10 Many are the woes of the wicked,(X)
but the Lord’s unfailing love
surrounds the one who trusts(Y) in him.
11 Rejoice in the Lord(Z) and be glad, you righteous;
sing, all you who are upright in heart!
Footnotes
- Psalm 32:1 Title: Probably a literary or musical term
- Psalm 32:4 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verses 5 and 7.
Cross references
- Psalm 32:1 : Ps 85:2; 103:3
- Psalm 32:2 : S Ro 4:7-8*
- Psalm 32:2 : Jn 1:47; Rev 14:5
- Psalm 32:3 : S Job 31:34
- Psalm 32:3 : Ps 31:10
- Psalm 32:3 : S Job 3:24; Ps 6:6
- Psalm 32:4 : 1Sa 5:6; S Job 9:34; Ps 38:2; 39:10
- Psalm 32:4 : Ps 22:15
- Psalm 32:5 : Job 31:33
- Psalm 32:5 : Pr 28:13
- Psalm 32:5 : Ps 103:12
- Psalm 32:5 : S Lev 26:40; 1Jn 1:9
- Psalm 32:6 : Ps 69:13; Isa 55:6
- Psalm 32:6 : Ps 69:1
- Psalm 32:6 : S Ex 15:10
- Psalm 32:6 : Isa 43:2
- Psalm 32:7 : S Jdg 9:35
- Psalm 32:7 : S Ps 9:9
- Psalm 32:7 : S Jdg 5:1
- Psalm 32:8 : S Ps 25:8
- Psalm 32:8 : Ps 34:11
- Psalm 32:8 : Ps 33:18
- Psalm 32:9 : S Job 30:11; S 39:10; Jas 3:3
- Psalm 32:10 : Ro 2:9
- Psalm 32:10 : Ps 4:5; Pr 16:20
- Psalm 32:11 : Ps 64:10
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Source:  BibleGateway
The blessed person is the one who has received God's mercy and forgiveness. The burden of their sin has been lifted and it is no longer counted against them. Such people are honest about their sin with both God and themselves. They no longer try to hide their sin or ignore it. To do so would be to deceive themselves. When David was silent about his sin, he felt crushed under the weight of his guilt and shame. However, when he confessed his sin, God was faithful to forgive him. David's advice to everyone is to seek God while he can be found. Those who trust in God are hidden in him and receive protection and deliverance.
2. Listen to God's counsel (8-11)
It is far better to listen to God's counsel and obey his word than to have to be disciplined all the time like a horse or a stubborn mule. God doesn't want us to be that way. Instead, he wants to teach us the right way to live in his sight. Those who trust him like this will be surrounded by his wonderful, unfailing love. David went from the depths of despair to the heights of joy. This happens when we confess our sins and trust in the LORD.
Prayer: Father, we rejoice in your goodness.
One Word: God forgave the guilt of my sin