Psalm 32:5 Study Bible: I acknowledged my sin to you. I did not hide my iniquity. I said, I will confess my transgressions to the LORD, and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah.

◄ Psalm 32:5 ►

Then I acknowledged my sin to You and did not hide my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD," and You forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah

Study Bible

I acknowledged my sin to You
This phrase begins with the psalmist's personal admission of sin, a crucial step in the process of repentance. The Hebrew word for "acknowledged" is "yada," which implies a deep, intimate knowing. This is not a casual admission but a profound recognition of one's wrongdoing before God. In the historical context of ancient Israel, acknowledging sin was often accompanied by public confession and sacrificial offerings, as outlined in Levitical law. This acknowledgment is the first step towards reconciliation with God, emphasizing the importance of honesty and transparency in one's spiritual journey.

and I did not hide my iniquity
The act of not hiding one's iniquity signifies a deliberate choice to bring one's sins into the open. The Hebrew word for "hide" is "kasah," which means to cover or conceal. In the biblical narrative, hiding sin is often associated with shame and separation from God, as seen in the account of Adam and Eve. By choosing not to hide his iniquity, the psalmist demonstrates a willingness to confront his sins and seek God's forgiveness. This openness is a vital component of repentance, as it allows for healing and restoration.

I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD.”
The decision to confess is a pivotal moment in the psalmist's spiritual journey. The Hebrew word for "confess" is "yadah," which involves not only admitting sin but also praising God for His mercy and forgiveness. Confession is a recurring theme in the Psalms and throughout Scripture, highlighting its importance in maintaining a right relationship with God. By confessing to the LORD, the psalmist acknowledges God's authority and His role as the ultimate judge and redeemer. This act of confession is both humbling and liberating, as it leads to divine forgiveness.

And You forgave the guilt of my sin
The phrase concludes with the assurance of God's forgiveness. The Hebrew word for "forgave" is "nasa," which means to lift, carry, or take away. This imagery conveys the idea of God removing the burden of sin from the repentant sinner. The concept of forgiveness is central to the Christian faith, rooted in the sacrificial atonement of Jesus Christ. In the historical context, forgiveness was often associated with the sacrificial system, where the blood of animals symbolized the cleansing of sin. However, the psalmist experiences God's forgiveness directly, underscoring the personal and transformative nature of divine grace. This assurance of forgiveness brings peace and restoration, encouraging believers to seek God's mercy with confidence.

Persons / Places / Events

1. David
Traditionally attributed as the author of Psalm 32, David is expressing his personal experience of confession and forgiveness.

2. The LORD (Yahweh)
The covenant name of God, to whom David confesses his sins and from whom he receives forgiveness.

3. Sin/Iniquity/Transgressions
These terms describe the moral failures and disobedience against God's law that David acknowledges.

Teaching Points

The Power of Confession
Confession is a powerful act that brings spiritual freedom and healing. By acknowledging our sins, we open the door to God's forgiveness.

God's Readiness to Forgive
God is always ready to forgive when we come to Him with a repentant heart. His grace is abundant and available to all who seek it.

Transparency with God
Hiding sin only prolongs guilt and separation from God. Transparency in our relationship with Him leads to restoration and peace.

The Role of 'Selah'
The term "Selah" invites us to pause and reflect on the profound truth of God's forgiveness and the relief it brings to the soul.

Bible Study Questions

1. How does acknowledging our sin before God change our relationship with Him?

2. In what ways can we practice transparency with God in our daily lives?

3. How does the concept of confession in Psalm 32:5 relate to the New Testament teachings on forgiveness?

4. What are some practical steps we can take to ensure we are not hiding our iniquities from God?

5. How can the practice of confession and forgiveness impact our relationships with others within the church community?

Connections to Other Scriptures

1 John 1:9
This verse emphasizes the importance of confessing our sins to receive forgiveness and cleansing, echoing the theme of Psalm 32:5.

Proverbs 28:13
Highlights the necessity of confessing and renouncing sin to obtain mercy, similar to David's experience.

Psalm 51
Another psalm of David that delves into confession and repentance, providing a deeper understanding of his heart and relationship with God.

James 5:16
Encourages believers to confess their sins to one another and pray for healing, reinforcing the communal aspect of confession.

Sermons

A Conscious Sense of Sin	J, Kidd, D. D.	Psalm 32:5
Confession	G. F. Prescott, M. A.	Psalm 32:5
Penitential Confession of Sin	G. Newnham, M. A.	Psalm 32:5
Relief Afforded by Confession	J. McCosh.	Psalm 32:5
Repentance	W. Hoyt, D. D.	Psalm 32:5
Selah	J. Donne, D. D.	Psalm 32:5
Sin Confesssd and Unconfessed	Homilist	Psalm 32:5
The Forgiveness of Sins	J. B. Brown, B. A.	Psalm 32:5
The Penitent's Progress	E. Blencowe, M. A.	Psalm 32:5
From Great Misery to Greater Blessedness	C. Short	Psalm 32:1-5
A Song of a Saved Soul	Joseph Pearce.	Psalm 32:1-7
Pardon of Sin the Only True Means to Happiness	T. Taylor, D,D.	Psalm 32:1-7
Persuasions to Seek After the Blessedness of Pardon		Psalm 32:1-7
Sin and Forgiveness	A. Maclaren, D. D.	Psalm 32:1-7
Sin Forgiven	J. H. Jowett, M. A.	Psalm 32:1-7
The Blessedness of Forgiveness	T. Vincent, M. A.	Psalm 32:1-7
The Blessedness of Forgiveness	H. Law, M. A.	Psalm 32:1-7
The Blessedness of Pardon		Psalm 32:1-7
The Gate to the Confessional	M. R. Vincent, D. D.	Psalm 32:1-7
The not Imputing of Sin	John Donne, D. D.	Psalm 32:1-7
The Pardon of Sin		Psalm 32:1-7
The Penitential Psalms	M. R. Vincent, D. D.	Psalm 32:1-7
True Blessedness	S. Guthrie, D. D.	Psalm 32:1-7
Divine Forgiveness	C. Clemance	Psalm 32:1-11

People

David, Psalmist

Places

Jerusalem

Topics

Acknowledge, Acknowledged, Cause, Clear, Confess, Confession, Cover, Covered, Didn't, Forgave, Forgavest, Forgive, Guilt, Hast, Hid, Hide, Iniquity, Selah, Sin, Transgressions, Wrongdoing

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Psalm 32:5

     1055   God, grace and mercy
     5146   covering
     6115   blame
     6746   sanctification, means and results
     8106   assurance, nature of
     8666   praise, manner and methods

Psalm 32:1-5

6655 forgiveness, application

Psalm 32:1-11

6175 guilt, removal of

Psalm 32:3-5

     4817   drought, spiritual
     5436   pain
     6029   sin, forgiveness
     6624   confession, of sin

Psalm 32:4-5

5334 health

Psalm 32:5-6

5812 concealment
8628 worship, hindrances

Library

A Threefold Thought of Sin and Forgiveness
'Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. 2. Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.' --PSALM xxxii. 1, 2. This psalm, which has given healing to many a wounded conscience, comes from the depths of a conscience which itself has been wounded and healed. One must be very dull of hearing not to feel how it throbs with emotion, and is, in fact, a gush of rapture from a heart experiencing in its freshness the new joy …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

December the Thirtieth the Blessedness of Forgiveness
"Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven." --PSALM xxxii. It is the blessedness of emancipation. The boat which has been tethered to the weird, baleful shore is set free, and sails toward the glories of the morning. The man, long cramped in the dark, imprisoning pit, is brought out, and stretches his limbs in the sweet light and air of God's free world. Black servitude is ended; glorious liberty begins. It is the blessedness of education. For when we are freed we are by no means perfected. …
John Henry Jowett—My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year

Self-Scrutiny in God's Presence.
ISAIAH, i. 11.--"Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord; though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." These words were at first addressed to the Church of God. The prophet Isaiah begins his prophecy, by calling upon the heavens and the earth to witness the exceeding sinfulness of God's chosen people. "Hear, O heavens, and give ear O earth: for the Lord hath spoken; I have nourished and brought up children, …
William G.T. Shedd—Sermons to the Natural Man

Confession of Sin Illustrated by the Cases of Dr. Pritchard and Constance Kent
See, dear friends, the value of a truthful grace-wrought confession of sin; it is to be prized above all price, for he that confesseth his sin and forsaketh it, shall find mercy. Now, it is a well known fact, that when God is pleased to bestow upon men any choice gift, Satan, who is the god of counterfeits, is sure very soon to produce a base imitation, true in appearance, but worthless in reality: his object is deception, and full often he succeeds. How many there are who have made a worthless confession, …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 11: 1865

Bit and Bridle: How to Escape Them
After a man is pardoned, anxiety is awakened as to how he shall be kept from sin in the future. The burnt child dreads the fire; and although his burns have all been healed, he dreads the fire none the less, but all the more. These who have been scorched by sin tremble at even a distant approach to the flame. You will always know whether you are delivered from the guilt of sin by answering this question--Am I delivered from the love of sin? He who lost his way yesterday feels his need of a guide …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 37: 1891

Heroes and Heroines (Whitsunday. )
PSALM xxxii. 8. I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. This is God's promise; which he fulfilled at sundry times and in different manners to all the men of the old world who trusted in him. He informed them; that is, he put them into right form, right shape, right character, and made them the men which they were meant to be. He taught them in the way in which they ought to go. He guided them where they could not guide themselves. But …
Charles Kingsley—The Good News of God

Pardon and Peace
(Twenty-first Sunday after Trinity.) Psalm xxxii. 1-7. Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile. When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long. For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. I acknowledge my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions …
Charles Kingsley—Town and Country Sermons

The Faults Committed in this Degree --Distractions, Temptations --The Course to be Pursued Respecting Them.
As soon as we fall into a fault, or have wandered, we must turn again within ourselves; because this fault having turned us from God, we should as soon as possible turn towards Him, and suffer the penitence which He Himself will give. It is of great importance that we should not be anxious about these faults, because the anxiety only springs from a secret pride and a love of our own excellence. We are troubled at feeling what we are. If we become discouraged, we shall grow weaker yet; and reflection …
Jeanne Marie Bouvières—A Short Method Of Prayer And Spiritual Torrents

Of Confession of Our Infirmity and of the Miseries of this Life
I will acknowledge my sin unto Thee;(1) I will confess to Thee, Lord, my infirmity. It is often a small thing which casteth me down and maketh me sad. I resolve that I will act bravely, but when a little temptation cometh, immediately I am in a great strait. Wonderfully small sometimes is the matter whence a grievous temptation cometh, and whilst I imagine myself safe for a little space; when I am not considering, I find myself often almost overcome by a little puff of wind. 2. Behold, therefore, …
Thomas A Kempis—Imitation of Christ

Letter iii (A. D. 1131) to Bruno, Archbishop Elect of Cologne
To Bruno, [8] Archbishop Elect of Cologne Bernard having been consulted by Bruno as to whether he ought to accept the See of Cologne, so replies as to hold him in suspense, and render him in awe of the burden of so great a charge. He advises him to seek counsel of God in prayer. 1. You seek counsel from me, most illustrious Bruno, as to whether you ought to accept the Episcopate, to which it is desired to advance you. What mortal can presume to decide this for you? If God calls you, who can dare …
Saint Bernard of Clairvaux—Some Letters of Saint Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux

The Tears of the Penitent.
Adversity had taught David self-restraint, had braced his soul, had driven him to grasp firmly the hand of God. And prosperity had seemed for nearly twenty years but to perfect the lessons. Gratitude had followed deliverance, and the sunshine after the rain had brought out the fragrance of devotion and the blossoms of glad songs. A good man, and still more a man of David's age at the date of his great crime, seldom falls so low, unless there has been previous, perhaps unconscious, relaxation of the …
Alexander Maclaren—The Life of David

The First Disciples: iv. Nathanael
'Philip findeth Nathanael, and saith unto him, We have found Him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, did write, Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph. 46. And Nathanael said unto him, Can there any good thing come out of Nazareth? Philip saith unto him, Come and see. 47. Jesus saw Nathanael coming to Him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile! 48. Nathanael saith unto Him, Whence knowest Thou me? Jesus answered and said unto him, Before that Philip called thee, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

David's Sin in the Matter of Uriah.
"And David said unto Nathan, 'I have sinned against the Lord.' And Nathan said unto David, 'The lord also hath put away thy sin; then shalt not die.'" The sin here referred to is that of David in the matter of Uriah. A strange and sad event--taken in all its circumstances and connections, it is without a parallel. But the circumstance most to be lamented, is that mentioned by the prophet, in the close of his message--"By this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme." …
Andrew Lee et al—Sermons on Various Important Subjects

Out of the Deep of Sin.
Innumerable troubles are come about me. My sins have taken such hold upon me, that I am not able to look up; yea, they are more in number than the hairs of my head, and my heart hath failed me.--Ps. xl. 15. I acknowledge my faults, and my sin is ever before me. Against Thee only have I sinned, and done this evil in Thy sight.--Ps. li. 3. I said, I will confess my sins unto the Lord; and so Thou forgavest the wickedness of my sin.--Ps. xxxii. 6. Blessed is the man whose iniquity is forgiven, and …
Charles Kingsley—Out of the Deep

Grace and Holiness.
"Now God Himself and our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ, direct our way unto you. And the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we do toward you: To the end He may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints."--1 THESS. iii. 11-13. There are few more precious subjects for meditation and imitation than the prayers and intercessions of the great Apostle. …
W. H. Griffith Thomas—The Prayers of St. Paul

Question Lxxxiii of Prayer
I. Is Prayer an Act of the Appetitive Powers? Cardinal Cajetan, On Prayer based on Friendship II. Is it Fitting to Pray? Cardinal Cajetan, On Prayer as a True Cause S. Augustine, On the Sermon on the Mount, II. iii. 14 " On the Gift of Perseverance, vii. 15 III. Is Prayer an Act of the Virtue of Religion? Cardinal Cajetan, On the Humility of Prayer S. Augustine, On Psalm cii. 10 " Of the Gift of Perseverance, xvi. 39 IV. Ought We to Pray to God Alone? S. Augustine, Sermon, cxxvii. 2 V. …
St. Thomas Aquinas—On Prayer and The Contemplative Life

Epistle Xlvi. To Isacius, Bishop of Jerusalem .
To Isacius, Bishop of Jerusalem [159] . Gregory to Isacius, &c. In keeping with the truth of history, what means the fact that at the time of the flood the human race outside the ark dies, but within the ark is preserved unto life, but what we see plainly now, namely that all the unfaithful perish under the wave of their sin, while the unity of holy Church, like the compactness of the ark, keeps her faithful ones in faith and in charity? And this ark in truth is compacted of incorruptible timber, …
Saint Gregory the Great—the Epistles of Saint Gregory the Great

A Description of Heart-Purity
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Matthew 5:8 The holy God, who is of purer eyes than to behold iniquity' calls here for heart-purity, and to such as are adorned with this jewel, he promises a glorious and beatifical vision of himself: they shall see God'. Two things are to be explained the nature of purity; the subject of purity. 1 The nature of purity. Purity is a sacred refined thing. It stands diametrically opposed to whatsoever defiles. We must distinguish the various kinds …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

Of the True Church. Duty of Cultivating Unity with Her, as the Mother of all the Godly.
1. The church now to be considered. With her God has deposited whatever is necessary to faith and good order. A summary of what is contained in this Book. Why it begins with the Church. 2. In what sense the article of the Creed concerning the Church is to be understood. Why we should say, "I believe the Church," not "I believe in the Church." The purport of this article. Why the Church is called Catholic or Universal. 3. What meant by the Communion of Saints. Whether it is inconsistent with various …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion

The Best Things Work for Good to the Godly
WE shall consider, first, what things work for good to the godly; and here we shall show that both the best things and the worst things work for their good. We begin with the best things. 1. God's attributes work for good to the godly. (1). God's power works for good. It is a glorious power (Col. i. 11), and it is engaged for the good of the elect. God's power works for good, in supporting us in trouble. "Underneath are the everlasting arms" (Deut. xxxiii. 27). What upheld Daniel in the lion's den? …
Thomas Watson—A Divine Cordial

The Godly are in Some Sense Already Blessed
I proceed now to the second aphorism or conclusion, that the godly are in some sense already blessed. The saints are blessed not only when they are apprehended by God, but while they are travellers to glory. They are blessed before they are crowned. This seems a paradox to flesh and blood. What, reproached and maligned, yet blessed! A man that looks upon the children of God with a carnal eye and sees how they are afflicted, and like the ship in the gospel which was covered with waves' (Matthew 8:24), …
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

The Consolation
Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God. Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received at the LORD 's hand double for all her sins. T he particulars of the great "mystery of godliness," as enumerated by the Apostle Paul, constitute the grand and inexhaustible theme of the Gospel ministry, "God manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on …
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 1

Man's Inability to Keep the Moral Law
Is any man able perfectly to keep the commandments of God? No mere man, since the fall, is able in this life perfectly to keep the commandments of God, but does daily break them, in thought, word, and deed. In many things we offend all.' James 3: 2. Man in his primitive state of innocence, was endowed with ability to keep the whole moral law. He had rectitude of mind, sanctity of will, and perfection of power. He had the copy of God's law written on his heart; no sooner did God command but he obeyed. …
Thomas Watson—The Ten Commandments

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