Psalm 32

A Song for Repentance

What are the benefits of confessing sin?

We are moral beings. Our sense of morality affects our psychological (even physical) health. Doing good can give us a sense of well being. Sin can give us a sense of imbalance, even depression. How can we overcome the results of sin and reset balance? We can confess our wrong doing and ask for forgiveness.

Confession and forgiveness were at the root of Psalm 32. It was a penitential song written from experience. The psalm included a beatitude for the forgiven sinner, a personal witness of confession, a teaching from the former sinner, and an admonition to the present sinner.

Unlike many other psalms who praised the righteous, Psalm 32 held up the forgiven sinner as the blessed. This blessing began with confession. Before an acknowledging his evil, the sinner suffered torment. Some scholars insist the psalmist reflected the belief that sin caused physical ailments; other scholars simply equate the suffering as the manifestation of the a guilty conscience. The belief of relief on a cosmic scale did reflect the world view of the people at the time. The Hebrews held natural catastrophes (like floods) were caused by sin (of king and populace). Confession of sin could relieve the threat of such catastrophes. (Of course, the “flood waters” could be seen as metaphorical.)

With the beatitude declaration and personal witness, the psalmist could now teach from experience. His admonitions to sinners would carry more weight. His guidance would be wise. (32:9 was strange in this context since it could be seen as an insult; yet, insults were part of everyday life in Semitic cultures.)

The psalm ended with an exhortation for moral living. Sinners would suffer, but the righteous would be surrounded by the covenant love of God.

Psalm 32 spoke as much from human experience as it did from the mercy of God. Confession is good for the soul. It humbles us and allows us to see God in spite of our failings. Truly, the forgiven are blessed, for forgiveness is a blessing.

Take some time today to examine your conscience. Place your triumphs and failures before the Lord. Ask for his forgiveness, healing, and blessing. He will not disappoint you.