(Psa 32:1-2) Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. {2} Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.
We can be eternally thankful for the truth found in these verses. Sins of omission, sins of commission, sins of deliberate action, sins of the heart, youthful sins, big sins, little sins, etc, are all included in redemption. It is a thrill to know that the payment for them has been accomplished by Christ’s death on the cross. What freedom it brings when we confess our sin and then receive His forgiveness.
Transgression, sin and iniquity. Transgression is going beyond a known boundary. Transgression also carries the idea of trespass and rebellion. It has to do with something that is known by the individual and is committed in spite of their knowledge of the wrong.
Sin is missing the mark (Rom 3:23), falling short of the goal or expectation or demand. God’s demand is to be perfect (Gen 17:1; 6:9; Deut. 18:13; Matt 5:48). The word perfect is not used in the sense of without any flaw, but complete in development.
Iniquity is perversity, depravity as pertaining to motive and action (Psa 51:5; Matt 7:23). It is doing things in our own power for our own glory and prestige (Matt 6:2, 5, 16). Claiming that our bent toward a particular sin is God’s doing and not that of our own sinfulness.
Forgiven – not remembered against us. They have been set aside from being held against us. It also carries the idea of being carried away (Psa 103:13).
Covered – conceal, blotted out. They are taken from view by the covering blood.
Not imputed – not put on our record. They have been committed by us, but since they have been covered, they are no longer on our record and so they on not on the record of our life. They are not counted as having been committed by us. The record is clear as if we were perfectly righteous all along.
We must acknowledge, confess our sin and then believe for God’s forgiveness. If we do not there are three results. Bearing the sins, guilt and consequences are seen in a three-fold manner.
My bones waxed old. Sin affects our physical wellbeing as well as spiritual.
My roaring carries the idea of the distress that sin brings into our life -- emotional and mental anguish (Psa 38:8). The unrest and discomfort that sin brings into our life.
Thy hand was heavy upon me – the consequences of our sin affect us -- if we would only see that they are our fault
I acknowledged my sin unto Thee, mine iniquity have I not hid. We need to acknowledge that God is right and we are wrong. It is sin, not just a mistake. We must also admit that our motives are impure and self-serving.
God’s action then is to forgive – “Thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin.” When we admit and confess God will forgive (1 Jn 1:9).
Because of all this, we should have a three-fold response. “Be glad in the Lord”. Being glad is the experience of the reality of sins forgiven. “. . . rejoice ye righteous” is the result of being cleansed from sin – we are now righteous and as the redeemed, we should rejoice with joy unspeakable. “. . . shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.” After our hearts have been cleansed we should being forth some kind of verbal response.