Psalm 32—O what joy!

David starts out this psalm on a high note. He doesn’t muddle around with eyes downcast as he considers his failures and those of his people. Per the Living Translation, “O what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven; whose sin is put out of sight!” (vv.1-2) Wow, talk about skipping straight to dessert...

Our focus during Lent is repentance and renewal (R&R). Not because it’s a sanctified opportunity to think about ME. (Yay!) No, this repentance is a survival tool. David writes, “When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long. Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat” (vv.3-4). Dehydration is no joke, take it from someone with an ambulance ride as a result. Like so much of God’s plan, we trade one thing in exchange for the complete opposite. In order to live, I first have to die? The greatest among you is the servant of all? If I empty myself... I get filled up? “Finally I confessed my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, 'I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.' And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone” (v.5). Wait... what? R&R… the eternal kind.

David, a man who knew a little something about the wages of sin, the release of repentance, and the reward of renewal, implores us in verse 6 (my translation) to “Get while the getting’s good,” followed by verse 7 which completes the picture: “For you are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory!” Rags to riches.

My life has taught me that when I’m drained of my own resources AND admit it… our loving Father responds out of His abundant storehouse of love. According to verses 10-12, "unfailing love surrounds those who trust in the Lord (Repent!)… Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are (now) pure!” (Renew!)