Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit. Psalm 32:1-2
This Psalm describes God’s forgiveness in three ways:
1. It brings pardon for the sin, thereby saving the person from sin’s final and eternal results.
2. It covers the sin, or puts it out of sight, by removing its power and influence in one’s life.
3. It keeps God from counting the sin against the person, thereby canceling and removing the debt of the sin from the record.
This allows a person to experience the true joy and fulfillment of a personal relationship with his or her Creator.
Deceit: the action or practice of deceiving someone by concealing or misrepresenting the truth.
This word, deceit, stuck out to me when I read these verses. Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven and whose sins are covered, blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not count against him. We as humans would like to leave it there. But the last bit says “and in whose spirit is no deceit.” This brings up the question “What are your motives?” I’ve asked myself many times “What are your motives?” In friendships, relationships, my relationship with the Lord, what is my motive? When we ask for forgiveness when we ask that our sins be covered and that He no longer count our sin against us, is there any deceit in our spirit? Do we say with our mouth, “Lord, forgive me” yet in our spirit we are thinking about how we are going to go do the same thing again? Deceit: Concealing or misrepresenting the truth.
Let’s be unconcealed and totally truthful with the Lord, let there be no deceit in your spirit.
Take some time and ask the Lord to reveal any deceit in your spirit, to reveal anything that you may be concealing, even if you’ve concealed so well that it’s now hidden from you.
When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. 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. Psalm 32:3-4
These verses describe the grief and consequences of holding on to sin by trying to hide it. When David hid and decided his sin, he lost many things that were important in life – his health, peace of mind, happiness and, most of all, favor with God. In place of these blessings, he experienced guilt, distress and strong discipline from God. Admitting guilt and the front that has been done with a heart that is ready to change (not deceitful) will always result in God’s gracious pardon, the removal of guilt and the gift of His loving presence.
Don’t keep silent, talk and communicate with the Lord. Sometimes, when I’m going through something or have sinned or just not done what I know I should do, I get quiet. I just kind of “shut down” and stop communicating, I do that in relationships too. That only distances you from the Lord and from people. That’s a trick of the enemy, Satan wants to distance you from the truth, from God, from people who love you and love God. When you feel yourself start to pull away, when you want to retreat and hide your sin, that’s when you need to run even harder, even faster into His arms. “Confess your transgressions to the Lord and He will forgive the guilt of your sin.”
Take some time to search your heart, ask the Lord to reveal any hidden sin in your life. Ask Him to show you if there is anything you are keeping silent about. What is “sapping your strength”? Acknowledge your sin, don’t cover up your iniquity. He will forgive you. He will lift the heaviness of the guilt.
Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to you while you may be found; surely when the mighty waters rise they will not reach him. You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. Psalm 32:6-7
After these two verses in my Bible it says “Selah”. The exact meaning of “Selah” is not known, but there are many definitions to be found. Some say it means to “pause and reflect” some equate it to “amen” or “so be it”. I always just pause when I see “Selah”, I think it’s a beautiful reminder to stop and really let what’s being said sink in.
Let’s do that. “You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.”
Pause, friend.
Read it again.
“You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.”
How does that make you feel? To know that the Creator of all things, the King of kings and Lord of lords is your hiding place, is your fortress, is your safe place and will protect you. That He surrounds you with songs of deliverance. Have you ever sung over someone? Have you ever quieted a child by singing to them? That’s what I picture… hiding safely in His arms while He sings peace and deliverance over me.
Take a few minutes, close your eyes, and just imagine that scene. Let the Lord sing over you, surround you with His song, comfort you and rest in Him.
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. Do not be like the course or the mule which has no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you. Psalm 32:8-9
The Lord promises to instruct and guide his followers (those who have been forgiven for their sins). These followers are those who show evidence of a humble and teachable spirit. They show that they treasure his presence and counsel, trust him completely, rejoice in Him and continue to do what is right.
I love lists. When I read this scripture and the (above) portion from my Bible I imagined it in list form:
If I am a follower of the Lord:
– He will instruct me,
– He will guide me.
I must:
– show a humble spirit,
– show a teachable spirit,
– that I treasure His presence,
– that I treasure His counsel,
– that I trust Him completely,
– that I rejoice in Him,
– continue to do what is right.
Let’s take some time and ask the Lord to instruct us, teach us, counsel us, guide us, watch over us. Go down the list and ask Him to instruct you and guide you, to give you a humble and teachable spirit.
Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him. Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart! Psalm 32:10-11
Do we trust in him? If we are deceitful, if we are manipulative, if we conceal our true thoughts and feelings, our woes will be many. However, if we trust in Him, if we are honest, if we communicate, if we give Him our all, His unfailing love will surround us.
Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous! Sing all you who are upright in heart!
I don’t know about you but I want to be upright in heart! I want to be in communication always with Him, I want His love to surround me and His songs of deliverance to surround me!
Re-read the Psalm, communicate with the Lord and apply each scripture to your life. Ask the Lord to search your heart and purpose to serve Him!