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I. COVERED SIN AND NO PROSPERITY.

1. What is the meaning of covering sin?

2. How do men cover sin?

(1)  By palliation.

(2)  By dissembling.

(3)  By practising sin in secret.

(4)  By self-righteousness.

3. Covered sin a failure. Shall not prosper. This does not refer to temporal, but spiritual prosperity. This is not an arbitrary arrangement. The same power by which night and day succeed each other has promulgated, and will enforce the law that says, "Bad lives, unpardoned, shall be punished." Sin cannot be successfully cloaked, but will be discovered and punished.

II. CONFESSED AND FORSAKEN SIN AND MERCY.

1. "Whoso confesseth and forsaketh them." Prompt confession, followed by prompt forgiveness. Confession involving forsaking. Profession attended with consistent practice. The reform of the outward life, and the healing of the soul.

2. "Shall have mercy." This is not a subject of doubt. It was the experience of the psalmist (Psalm 32:5). The apostle believed and taught it (Romans 4:5). John has put it beyond speculation (1 John 1:8, 9). Mercy is yours if you will fulfil the conditions.

(J. E. Hargreaves.)

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KJV: He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.

WEB: He who conceals his sins doesn't prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.