Forgiveness With God

Psalm 32 speaks to us of the forgiveness of God towards us. When we understand that we are forgiven, we can live free from regret and embrace the joy that comes from knowing our sins are not held against us. Let’s walk through Psalm 32 together in the King James Version.

Verse 1

Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.

It is a blessing indeed when our transgression is forgiven. Transgression is the Hebrew word pesha, which means revolt or rebellion. God has forgiven, or taken, carried away and pardoned our rebellion. It is gone. And the same is true of sin. In the Old Testament, sin was covered, but in the New Testament, the blood of Jesus has washed it away. Because of God’s love, He does not see the sin we’ve confessed and forsaken.

Verse 2

Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.

God does not impute, or count our sins against us. How wonderful that is!

Verses 3- 5

When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long. For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah. I acknowledge my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.

The word sin refers to an offense, missing the mark. Iniquity means to be bent, bowed down, twisted, and perverse. And we saw that transgression is willful rebellion or revolt. This tells us how we get rid of all of it: acknowledge it, don’t hide it, and confess it to God. If we are sincere, the result is always forgiveness. God has offered forgiveness all along, but we must receive it.

Verse 6

For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him.

When we confess and forsake sin and rebellion against God, we have access to God and we are protected from any storm that comes against us. When we pray, the floods will not overtake us.

Verse 7

Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.

Forgiveness opens the door to God’s presence, and we can experience Him as our hiding place. He is a stronghold, a protection from trouble. He surrounds us and He even sings songs of deliverance over us.

Verse 8

I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.

Because we are forgiven, God guides us in the right way to go; watching over us and leading us in paths of righteousness.

Verse 9

Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.

When He leads, we are to obey with willing hearts.

Verse 10

Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the Lord, mercy shall compass him about.

Those who are forgiven will not suffer the same sorrows that the unforgiven do. Instead, we will experience the mercy, or the lovingkindness, of God.

Verse 11

Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.

Forgiveness and the liberation it brings produces joy. We can be glad in the Lord, celebrating that we are made right with God through His forgiveness!