The cover up
Psalm 32
Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.
Prepare
If you are in the Northern Hemisphere, there is every chance it might be snowing right now. Even if not, close your eyes and picture the way snow covers everything as it falls so silently and so beautifully.
Read
Explore
I like a good pun… did you hear about the man who was fired from the calendar factory? All he did was take a day off! David was in punning mood when he penned this psalm: he uses the same word for ‘covered’ (v 1 – like snow covers the ground) and ‘cover up’ (v 5 – like politicians cover up a scandal).
Whatever his sin was – traditionally, but not necessarily, his adultery with Bathsheba – he tried to hide it at first (v 3), claiming ‘to be without sin’ (1 John 1:8). That didn’t go well. What do you think it means that God’s hand was ‘heavy’ on David (v 4)? Is that something you recognise?
Eventually he admitted what he had done; he stopped covering it up himself (v 5) and let God cover it for him (v 1). Compare verses 4 and 11. What a difference being honest and confessing his sin made to David! Are you brave enough to learn his lesson (v 8)?
Respond
The Bible tells us that God does not change. What he did for David, he can and will do for you. Spend some time confessing your sin, using words inspired by this psalm. Ask God to help you know the joy of verse 11.