God Promises to Cover Your Sin

Psalm 32:1-3 Of David. A maskil. 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.
 
THE introduction says this psalm is a maskil that David wrote. This means it is an instruction, said in v. 8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. What is David’s instruction to Israel?
   Israel’s king wants his people to know that God will cover any sin they confess to him. No sin is too large to remain exposed if you seek God’s merciful forgiveness.
   David knew about “large” sin. He wrote this instruction in response to his murder of Uriah and adultery with Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11-12). Psalm 51 is often read as David’s mournful, repentant cry to God. Within his repentance he promises God: Psalms 51:13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you. Psalm 32 is one of five “songs of instruction” David wrote to honor his promise.
   David teaches Israel that God will bless those whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. David tried to cover his sin. But his covering nearly destroyed him. V 3 When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. He felt God’s heavy hand of justice on him. V 4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer.
   Sin is an abomination before the Holy God. You are made in his image. Sin’s weight is too cumbersome and heavy to carry. You must confess and know God will permanently cover your sin, and he will not see it again.
   David confessed. V. 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. David exposed his sin to God. And David knew God covered it.
   David could then enter safely into God’s presence. V 7 You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. Even as all Israel knew his sin, David found safety and peace in God’s forgiveness. He could trust God covered his sin to no longer grieve his soul.
   This is the gospel. The apostle John instructs you of Jesus’ power to cleanse your sin: 1 John 1:6 If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin. 8 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. 
   Try to cover your sin, and darkness will cover your heart. Confess your sin. Allow Jesus’ atoning blood to cover you. Joyfully regard David’s final instruction: V 11 Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!