Psalm 32
Cultivating a Repentant Heart
When I kept silent,
my bones wasted away
through my groaning all day long.
For day and night
your hand was heavy on 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.
Therefore let all the faithful pray to you
while you may be found;
surely the rising of the mighty waters
will not reach them.
You are my hiding place;
you will protect me from trouble
and surround me with songs of deliverance.
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.
Psalm 32:3-8
We all have feelings we experience when we sin; maybe it’s shame, or maybe pride, or a difficulty to admit it. Maybe they're feelings of being disconnected from God, or anger at ourselves. The problem is, we don’t always know what to do about it. David kept silent; maybe he felt like he couldn’t approach God, maybe he didn’t want to turn from his sin just yet - it doesn’t really explain.
What David does tell us is that no matter what feelings you experience, we can find forgiveness as we confess our sins to Him. Then, in verse 8, David switches from his own perspective to God’s. God tells us that not only will He forgive our sins, but He’ll help us as we continue to pursue Him and His ways.
Prayer Focuses
Action Steps
When I kept silent,
my bones wasted away
through my groaning all day long.
For day and night
your hand was heavy on 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.
Therefore let all the faithful pray to you
while you may be found;
surely the rising of the mighty waters
will not reach them.
You are my hiding place;
you will protect me from trouble
and surround me with songs of deliverance.
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.
Psalm 32:3-8
We all have feelings we experience when we sin; maybe it’s shame, or maybe pride, or a difficulty to admit it. Maybe they're feelings of being disconnected from God, or anger at ourselves. The problem is, we don’t always know what to do about it. David kept silent; maybe he felt like he couldn’t approach God, maybe he didn’t want to turn from his sin just yet - it doesn’t really explain.
What David does tell us is that no matter what feelings you experience, we can find forgiveness as we confess our sins to Him. Then, in verse 8, David switches from his own perspective to God’s. God tells us that not only will He forgive our sins, but He’ll help us as we continue to pursue Him and His ways.
Prayer Focuses
- Reflect. Ask the Lord to search your heart. "Am I being silent on something or a sin area you want me to confess?"
- Confess and repent. What feelings or thoughts are stirring up to make that difficult?
- Pray for the Spirit to guide and transform you.
Action Steps
- You may have noticed that the bridge in the song No Longer Slaves by Bethel is loosely based on Psalm 32:6-7. Give it a listen, and reflect on it in the context of this whole passage.
- Part of repentance is seeking reconciliation with those we may have hurt. Who might that be for you today?
Posted in Walking with Psalms
Related Posts
Recent
Archive
2021
2020
January
Day 1 God is HolyDay 2 God is UnchangingDay 3 God is LoveDay 4 God is TranscendentDay 5 God is OmnipotentDay 6 God is GoodDay 7 God is ImmanentDay 8 God is OmnipresentDay 9 God is our IntercessorDay 10 God is our CreatorDay 11 God is OmniscientDay 12 God is our Good ShepherdDay 13 God is FaithfulDay 14 God is our FriendDay 15 God is the Lord of the FeastDay 16 God is GenerousDay 17 God is Three in One (the Trinity)Day 18 God is JustDay 19 God is CompassionateDay 20 God is Lord of the HarvestDay 21 God is Coming King
March
Day 1: The Priestly BlessingDay 2: LeadershipDay 3: The Upper RoomDay 4: He knowsDay 5: Be StillDay 6: God's Presence In The Midst of TrialsDay 7: God Is In ControlDay 8: His WhisperDay 9: Our FatherDay 10: Wrestling with GodDay 11: God Is My ShieldDay 12: In His Presence Is JoyDay 13: The God of All ComfortDay 14: Sermon Reflections & ApplicationDay 15: Watch the WordDay 16: God is My Portion
April
Psalm 1Psalm 2Psalm 3Psalm 4Sermon Reflections and ApplicationPsalm 5Psalm 6Psalm 7Psalm 8Psalm 9Psalm 10Psalm 11Sermon Reflections and ApplicationPsalm 12Psalm 13Psalm 14Psalm 15Psalm 16Psalm 17Psalm 18Sermon Reflections and ApplicationPsalm 19Psalm 20Psalm 21Psalm 22Psalm 23Psalm 24Psalm 25Sermon Reflections and ApplicationPsalm 27Psalm 28Psalm 29Psalm 30
May
Psalm 31Psalm 32Psalm 33Psalm 34Psalm 35Psalm 36Psalm 37Psalm 38Psalm 39Psalm 40Psalm 41Psalm 42Psalm 43Psalm 44Psalm 45Accepted in the BelovedGod Dwells Within UsDying with ChristAlive Through ChristYou Are Not Your OwnAbide in HimFight the Good FightThe Blessing of ChristThe TrinityThe Blessed Third PersonHoly Spirit, All DivineLiving that Grieves the SpiritThe Spirit's GiftsThe Holy Spirit and the BelieverHearing the Voice of GodWhen Pentecost Came
June
His Power and SpiritLiving in the SpiritThe Light of RevelationJesus Also WeptWalk in LoveThe Mystery of PrayerReflections of His LightDo You Know Him? Cast Your Care God's Rest Christ our Servant The Temple of Our Bodies The Heart of Christ God's Hidden Meanings The Harvest of Following JesusIs He Your Heart's Dear King?Jesus our OvercomerEntrust the Little ThingsGiving Means LovingAbide in Your CallingOur Grit and God's GracePurity of HeartBeautiful Simplicity and Radiant LoveSincere Reverence, Joyful Informality, and Genuine HumilitySingle-FacedMarked by Christly FragranceDare We Expect Miracles Today?A Church ChurchItching Ears
No Comments