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Psalm 32

• Have you ever visited a jail or prison?
• What did it feel like?
• What were the people like there?
• What emotion did you have when you walked out?

People often live as prisoners of their past. They’ve done wrong things and wish they could forget those things and not have to live with the consequences, but they can’t. Emotionally, physically, relationally, and spiritually they go on paying day by day for things done years ago. They really wish they could change things and start over. We cannot always change the consequences of our past actions, but this psalm tells us we can find freedom from guilt over the past, which can then free us to become new persons.

{1} Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.

This psalm is identified as being a psalm of David. This is significant in that this psalm was written after a troubling time in David’s life. David was a primary figure in early Jewish history. He was a shepherd boy who became the second king of Israel. You may remember the story of David and Goliath, when God gave David courage and accuracy with a sling to be able to confront the Philistine giant, Goliath, and kill him. David was a courageous person in battle and led the Israelites in many victorious conflicts. After he had risen in power and had become king of Israel, he committed adultery by having a sexual encounter with the wife of one of his soldiers. He knew this was in violation of God’s standard of morality and was confronted with his guilt. This psalm is the aftermath of his struggle with guilt and the need for a change in his life.

This psalm begins with the same word that was used in Psalm 1: "blessed." When a person has done wrong and knows it, guilt will often cause that person to believe happiness can never be experienced again.

• What two things does this verse suggest are necessary to be free from guilt and be happy again?
• What is the meaning of forgiveness?
• Who is able to forgive sin?
• People often try unsuccessfully to "cover" their sin. What does this verse mean when it speaks of having one’s sins covered?

{2} Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit.

• What do you understand sin to be?
• Why is it important that the Lord "does not count [our sins] against [us]"?
• What does it mean not to have deceit in your spirit?

{3} When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. {4} For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Selah.

Doing wrong and knowing it produces guilt. Guilt is a symptom; therefore, it is not a feeling that should be ignored or denied. It is a symptom that something needs to be fixed—to be changed. The writer describes the source of guilt as being God’s hand, heavy upon him.

• How does the writer describe the effect of guilt?
• Have you ever felt the physical effect of guilt?

{5} 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. Selah. {6} Therefore let everyone who is godly pray to you while you may be found; surely when the mighty waters rise, they will not reach him. {7} You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah.

• According to verse 5, what must we do before God will forgive us?
• What does it mean to confess something?
• What encouragement does David give to others who may be experiencing guilt?
• Rather than running from God, if you run toward Him what will you find His response to be, according to verse 7?

Often people want to live right, but their past hangs like a dark cloud over their present and keeps them from being able to change. Freedom from guilt over the past is necessary before we can move into exciting and wholesome new beginnings. The past can be a prison from which we are unable to find release. Forgiveness is the key that unlocks the prison door and permits us to change our actions and reactions. We can be free to follow God.

{8} I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. {9} Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you.

Verse 8 switches from words of David to words of God. Once we are free from guilt, we are in a position for God to help bring change to our lives.

• What does God do to help us not to sin again?
• According to verse 9, what is the greatest problem we have in going in the right way?

{10} Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him. {11} Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!

Verse 10 switches back to David’s words again.

• What two types of persons are mentioned in verse 10?
• What does each of these two types of persons experience?
• What is the emotion of those who are free from guilt, according to verse 11?

What does this psalm tell us about freedom to be new persons?

1. We cannot escape the consequences of our sin.
2. Guilt is the result of our sin, but is also a gift from God to lead us to His forgiveness.
3. We must confess our sins in order for God to forgive them.
4. Forgiveness frees us from guilt and the prison of our past.
5. Our stubbornness can be the greatest hindrance to living right.
6. Change is possible as we allow God to guide us.

The Bible teaches us that we all have sinned. We all have a stubborn streak in us. We all have a tendency to abuse our freedom and misuse our power. We all have experienced doing wrong and knowing it.

• Are there things in your past that are keeping you from being the kind of person you really want to be?
• Do you have feelings of guilt that sometimes weigh heavy on you?
• Do you ever wish you could start out as a brand-new person without the baggage you carry inside?
• Acknowledging your need and confessing your sin will bring a tremendous release from the burden of your past. Would you like to do that right now?

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