Psalm 32 (1st)

Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. Blessed is the
man whose sin the Lord does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit. 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 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. (1-5)
Blessed is he conveys the same joyful state taught by Jesus taught in the Beatitudes
eight beautiful attitudes each preceded by the word blessed (Matthew 5:3-10)
meaning happy or congratulated, for this person is on the right path in relationship to
God
David is blessed because he knows his transgressions are forgiven his sins are
covered for the offense which separated him from God is now removed
He knows the joy of being forgiven means he is a man whose sin the Lord does not
count against him just as a Christian today defines justification as just as if I never
sinned
David was a man after Gods own heart (I Samuel 13:14, Acts 13:32) not because he
was sinless, but because he responded to Gods conviction and truly repented of his sin
This was a distinct difference between Kings Saul and David, for Saul was sorry he was
caught in sin but was more interested in his position as king rather than as a child of
God
When the prophet Samuel confronted Saul with his sinful disobedience, Saul said I have
sinned but please honor me before the elders of my people and before Israel (I Sam
15:30)
Davids sin with Bathsheba involved both adultery and murder, and yet when Nathan
confronted him, David said: I have sinned against the Lord (II Sam 12:13) his
statement ends with no explanation or excuses I have sinned period not I have
sinned but
Of course he sinned against Bathsheba, Uriah her husband, his own family, and the nation
of Israel yet David realized his first offense was against God (I know my sin, and my
transgression is ever before me; against You, You only, have I sinned . . . Psalm 51:3-4)
David experienced Gods forgiveness just as do we through the grace of God expressed
in the birth, sinless life, death and resurrection of Christ (II Corinthians 5:19-21)
The patriarchs born before Christ experienced Gods grace through faith (Eph 2:8) as
they trusted God, for His work on the cross paid for sins past, present and future (Heb
13:8)
o Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord (Genesis 6:8)
o Abraham believed God and it was credited to him as righteousness (Genesis 15:6)
Chapter 11 of Hebrews, considered the Hebrew Hall of Fame, begins with a definition
of faith as confidence in what we hope for and assurance of what we do not see (11:1)
In addition to Noah and Abraham, other patriarchs are given as examples of their saving
faith and action taken resulting from their confidence in God Enoch, Isaac, Jacob,
Moses

 David acted in disbelief and disobedience, suffering as a consequence a separation from

God that left him emotionally and physically drained my bones wasted away . . . Your
hand was heavy upon me . . . my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer
Yet when David humbled himself before God and confessed his sin without excuse (I
will confess my transgressions to the Lord), then trusted in God who is merciful and was
his light and salvation (27:1), he could then say: You forgave the guilt of my sin
Nations as well as individuals can repent, but are to be led by Gods people: If My
people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face
and turn from their wicked ways . . . I will forgive their sin and will heal their land (II
Chron 7:14)