We have been spending some time with Psalm 32.
It is one of seven “penitential” psalms. That word is connected to repentance. If it sounds like “penitentiary,” you’re right. Prisons are intended to be houses of repentance, where inmates gather in cells (notice that a ‘cell’ is also where a monk lives as a place of prayer and reflection), to reform themselves.
As one of the penitential psalms, Psalm 32 seems a bit heavy. But that’s on purpose—and that purpose is helpful and beautiful. Let me explain…
Verses 1 and 2 say: “Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.”
In those two short verses, David uses four different words for sin. He’s being very, very comprehensive (for a reason).
“Transgression” (Hebrew: pesha’), means rebellion. The general word “sin” (hata’ah) is a deliberate offense. “Iniquity” (‘awon) means going astray. “Deceit” (remiyyah) refers to falsehood or hypocrisy.*
Wow. David is really going out of his way to cover his bases. Sin is everywhere. In fact, it’s not just things we do; it’s in our nature. Don Carson uses the analogy of a fish in a tank of water. The water surrounds the fish. It’s even within. The fish have no real desire to get out and can’t even perceive of life outside of water. So it is with us and sin.**
This is where the good news comes in.
When we come to God for forgiveness, he covers our sin (verse 1). Think of a big pile of garbage that has been covered by a tarp. How many pieces of garbage are under the tarp? According to Martin Luther, what cannot be seen cannot be counted!***
In Christ, when it comes to your transgressions, God has you “covered.”
God’s loving kindness toward you as his child is more comprehensive that all of your mistakes, blunders, sins and offenses—combined.
Today’s devotional is a bit heavy. But that’s okay. Life is heavy! The point of Psalm 32 is that when it comes to your sin, God’s grace is a mountain range, not an ant hill.
Place your honest trust in the one who has you “covered,” no matter what you’ve done.
As David says in verse 1: “Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven…”
Notes:
*-This summary is provided by the CSB Study Bible.
-**Carson makes this analogy in an article titled: “The Puritans: What they have that the moderns have not.” This article appeared in the Northwest Journal of Theology 1 (1972), p. 86.
-***Martin Luther, Luther: Lectures on Romans, ed. Wilhelm Pauck (Philadelphia: The Westminster Press, 1961), 132.
-Note: As of August 10, I am on vacation. However, The Up Daily Devotional will continue daily until August 21, then go on pause for 2 weeks, resuming on September 7, 2026.
-Bible quotes, ESV.
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