Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven,
   whose sin is covered. 
Happy are those to whom the Lord imputes no iniquity,
   and in whose spirit there is no deceit. 

It’s not easy to explain why the Hebrew people loved King David best of all. Here’s a man who sinned more boldly than most, and then painted over his sins with blood, and covered them up with lies. He likely would have gotten away with it all if God hadn’t been watching. As humiliating as it was when David was finally caught, it was probably also a relief, since the guilt was drying him up and making him old before his time.

While I kept silence, my body 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 summer.

Once, I lied to a group of people who trusted me. I told them I would do something, and then I didn’t do it. And when they asked about it, I found a clever way to weave four or five half-truths together to make it sound like I had done what I hadn’t. Immediately, the sin began to weigh on me—just like King David. I’d had enough experience with this feeling to know that I had to confess. It was deeply humiliating to admit to these people I had lied to them—but also liberating. Once the truth was told, the sin held no more power over me.

Since sin is so much a part of our lives, we can be deeply grateful for David’s Psalm 32. It was his personal guidebook through the valley of sin, confession, and forgiveness. There’s an old phrase used in poker, “Read ’em and weep.” That’s the way to read Psalm 32: first grieving over our sins and then weeping tears of joy at God’s mercy and forgiveness. 

Questions for Reflection:

Have you ever tried to cover up a sin? How did the weight of that sin affect your relationship with God? How did everything change once you decided to confess?

Prayer:

Have mercy on me, O God,
   according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy
   blot out my transgressions. 
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
   and cleanse me from my sin. 

Create in me a clean heart, O God,
   and put a new and right spirit within me. 
Do not cast me away from your presence,
   and do not take your holy spirit from me. 
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
   and sustain in me a willing spirit. 

Amen.

              From Psalm 51

Psalm 32

 Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven,
   whose sin is covered. 
 Happy are those to whom the Lord imputes no iniquity,
   and in whose spirit there is no deceit. 

 While I kept silence, my body 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 summer.

 Then I acknowledged my sin to you,
   and I did not hide my iniquity;
I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,’
   and you forgave the guilt of my sin.

 Therefore let all who are faithful
   offer prayer to you;
at a time of distress, the rush of mighty waters
   shall not reach them. 
 You are a hiding-place for me;
   you preserve me from trouble;
   you surround me with glad cries of deliverance.

 I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go;
   I will counsel you with my eye upon you. 
 Do not be like a horse or a mule, without understanding,
   whose temper must be curbed with bit and bridle,
   else it will not stay near you. 

 Many are the torments of the wicked,
   but steadfast love surrounds those who trust in the Lord. 
 Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, O righteous,
   and shout for joy, all you upright in heart.