Daily Devotion, September 7, 2022

 

Devotion:

Read Psalm 32.

I almost missed some of the richness of this Psalm. Dr. J. Clinton McCann, Jr.’s commentary on the Psalms writes, “Psalm 32 begins with two beatitudes that recall the beginning of the Psalter (in Psalm 1 and 2). By defining happiness in terms of forgiveness, Psalm 32 functions as an important check against any tendency to misunderstand Psalm 1. That is, to be righteous is not a matter of being sinless but a matter of being forgiven, of being open to God’s instruction and of trusting God rather than self.”

Too often we try to be righteous on our own and trust ourselves rather than placing our trust in God. But this Psalm brings the good news that God forgives!

The Apostle Paul echoes this understanding of being made righteous through God’s grace as he quotes Psalm 32 in Romans 4, “David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the one to whom God credits righteousness apart from works…”

Yes, this Psalm is considered a penitent Psalm and is read during the season of Lent. But it is not so much a present tense confession of sin. The Psalmist is reflecting on what it is like to live on the other side of God’s having forgiven him! He is giving witness to his new life on this side of being forgiven! “Blessed” and “Happy”, and The Message’s phrase, “Count yourself lucky” are translations which express this joy!

The Psalmist gives witness to God’s grace contrasting his life lived bearing the weight of sin and of hiding sin to now living in the joy and deliverance of God’s forgiveness!

We might ask which comes first, our confession of sin, or God’s forgiveness. Out of God’s love for humankind, it is God’s nature and initiative to be forgiving. God offers for us to be and live forgiven. It is a gift of God’s grace. Our confession of our sin transfers our trust in God rather than continuing to trust in ourselves. God’s unfailing love prevails! As verse 10 says, “Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in Him.”

Personal Worship Option:

Verse 7, “You are my hiding place; You will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.” I acknowledge my sin of trusting in self and will trust in You. Amen.