Musings on…Psalm 32 ~ God’s Promises to Help

Taken from  The Peacemaker: A Biblical Guide to Resolving Personal Conflict
by Ken Sande, Updated Edition (Grand Rapids, Baker Books, 2003) p. 120

In Psalm 32, David talks about how hidden sin eats us up. “For 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 dried up as by the heat of the summer.”

Yet as we read on in the chapter, David identifies no less than seven mighty acts God will work on our behalf as we confess our sin. He begins with the stunning promise that “surely in the rush of great waters they shall not reach him” and ends with the assurance that “steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord”.Are you struggling with private or unconfessed sin?

~~

Read Psalm 32 and see if you can identify all seven of the ways God promises to intercede on your behalf as you take the difficult step of acknowledging (even publicly, if appropriate) your wrongdoing.

Then read 2 Timothy 2:21 and take comfort in the knowledge that God is seeking to cleanse you from your sin to use you for noble purposes ahead. 

 

Psalm 32

Of David. A maskil.

    ¹ Blessed is he
       whose transgressions are forgiven,
       whose sins are covered.

    ² Blessed is the man
       whose sin the LORD does not count against him
       and in whose spirit is no deceit.

    ³ When I kept silent,
       my bones wasted away
       through my groaning all day long.

    ⁴ For day and night
       your hand was heavy upon me;
       my strength was sapped
       as in the heat of summer.
       Selah

    ⁵ 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.
       Selah

    ⁶ 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.

    ⁷ You are my hiding place;
       you will protect me from trouble
       and surround me with songs of deliverance.
       Selah

    ⁸ I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
       I will counsel you and watch over you.

    ⁹ Do not be like the horse or the mule,
       which have no understanding
       but must be controlled by bit and bridle
       or they will not come to you.

    ¹⁰ Many are the woes of the wicked,
       but the LORD’s unfailing love
       surrounds the man who trusts in him.

    ¹¹ Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous;
       sing, all you who are upright in heart!

2 Timothy 2:21

²¹If a man cleanses himself from the latter, he will be an instrument for noble purposes, made holy, useful to the Master and prepared to do any good work.

Could you find all 7?

Leave a comment and list them.

Blessings, Kristina