Psalms 32:1

Blessed. Heb. ’ashre (see on Ps. 1:1). Verses 1, 2 describe sin under three names: transgression, sin, iniquity (see Ex. 34:7) and discuss further the principle of justification by faith.

Transgression. Heb. pesha‘, signifying “rebellion,” departure from God, and hence implying willful sin.

Forgiven. Heb. naśa’; for comment see on Ps. 25:18.

Sin. Heb. chaṭa’ah. Sin from the point of view of missing the mark, failing to do one’s duty.

Covered. Hence concealed, no longer to be brought against the sinner (see Ps. 85:2). Sin is not covered in the sense that it is overlooked. There is only one basis for the forgiveness of sin, namely repentance. Confession (1 John 1:9) is of value only when accompanied by repentance. Some Christians confuse the two processes and claim forgiveness on the ground of acknowledgment of guilt alone. But God is interested in the practical aspects of the case. Besides sorrow for sin, repentance includes the expulsion of sin from the life. Such expulsion is the act of the soul itself as energized by power from above. Forgiveness automatically follows such an experience. God can forgive all sins that are driven from the life.

Many Christians seem to be more concerned with obtaining forgiveness for their sins than with ridding the soul of all known sin. They strive to keep their sins “confessed up to date,” a noble objective, but one that has merit only if the confession has in each case been accompanied by an expulsion of the sin.

“The righteousness of Christ will not cover one cherished sin”. Before this precious gift can be imputed, the old, tattered garments of inherited and cultivated wrongdoing must be laid aside. This was the experience of David. It was on this basis that he obtained forgiveness for his great sin. His repentance was genuine. He loathed the sin of which he had been guilty.