SIN, SORROW, AND IGNORANCE DEALT WITH PROPERLY

SIN, SORROW, AND IGNORANCE DEALT WITH PROPERLY 

"I said, I will confess my transgressions unto Jehovah; and Thou forgave the iniquity of my sin" Psa. 32:5

This is the second of the seven Psalms which are usually called Penitential. (The others are 6, 38, 51, 102, 130, 143). It is one of the greatest songs in the Psalter. In it, human experience is vividly revealed. SIN, SORROW, AND IGNORANCE are all expressed; and their inter-relationship is recognized. It is a Psalm of penitence, but it is also the song of a ransomed soul rejoicing in the wonders of the grace of God. SIN IS DEALT WITH; SORROW IS COMFORTED; IGNORANCE IS INSTRUCTED. The fundamental matter is that of SIN, and the power of the song is created by the contrast it makes between the soul HIDING sin, refusing to acknowledge it, and that same soul CONFESSING it, such as the two thieves on the cross (Luke 23:32-43). While there was continuance of silence on the part of the sinner, the hand of God was heavy upon him, and his life was withered. When the confession was made, that sinner found the heart of God, and life was healed, and songs took the place of sighing. These words which are emphasized reveal the Divine heart in the most wonderful way. In them God is set forth radiantly as "a God ready to pardon." Note carefully that when this man said he would CONFESS, God FORGAVE. So ready is He to PARDON, that He does not wait for the actual and formulated expression. The yielding of the will, the decision of the soul, this is what He seeks. Di­rectly He finds it, His forgiveness is granted, and the soul is restored to the consciousness of communion. This is finally illustrated in the teaching of Jesus. The father's kisses were upon his returning boy, before any word of confession was uttered (Luke 15:11-32). It was upon the bosom of his father that he gave expression to the confession already made in his will. Such is our God.