Today's Scripture
Insight
Psalm 32 is one of seven penitential psalms (also Psalms 6; 38; 51; 102; 130; 143), so-named because they contain [a] confession of sins and a plea for God’s mercy and forgiveness. Many scholars believe David wrote Psalm 32 after he committed adultery with Bathsheba. For about a year afterward, he refused to repent of his sins of covetousness, adultery, deceit, bearing false testimony, and murder. Then the prophet Nathan confronted him (2 Samuel 11–12).
In Psalm 32 David speaks of the heavy burden of guilt he experienced when he denied his sins (vv. Psalm 32:3–4) and the joy of receiving God’s forgiveness when he confessed and repented (v. Psalm 32:5) and became receptive to God’s rule in his life (vv. Psalm 32:7–11). David contrasts the blessedness of repentance (vv. Psalm 32:1–2) with the anguish of refusing to confess his sin (vv. Psalm 32:3–5).
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