Let The Faithful Pray

You can listen to Psalm 32 below and read the passage in the New International Version here.

“Blessed is the one
whose transgressions are forgiven,
whose sins are covered.
Blessed is the one
whose sin the Lord does not count against them
and in whose spirit is no deceit.

When I kept silent,
my bones wasted away
through my groaning all day long.
For day and night
your hand was heavy on me;
my strength was sapped
as in the heat of summer.

Then I acknowledged my sin to you
and did not cover up my iniquity.
I said, “I will confess
my transgressions to the Lord.”
And you forgave
the guilt of my sin.

Therefore let all the faithful pray to you
while you may be found;
surely the rising of the mighty waters
will not reach them.
You are my hiding place;
you will protect me from trouble
and surround me with songs of deliverance.”

— Psalm 32:1-7

Hi friends! Thank you so much for joining us here.

We hope to provide you with some questions to spark reflection on the Psalms.

If you want to, you can share some of your thoughts in the comments section below. We would love to hear how God is working in your heart.

In Psalm 32, David said that when he did not confess his sin, his "bones wasted away," he groaned, and his "strength was sapped as in the heat of summer" (verses 3-4). Have you ever felt so guilty about something that you felt sick?

Journal Starter for Psalm 32

1. Write/talk to God about any guilt you might feel.
   What keeps you from bringing your sin to God? If you are not sure, ask God to show you.

   When WE try to cover up our sin, we are miserable. When we confess our sin to God and let HIM cover our sin with His grace, we are set free.
   When we cover up our sin, it tends to grow. When God covers our sin with His grace, it is washed away. 

   How have you experienced God's forgiveness and grace?

2. What do you do when you are struggling with guilt and shame over sin you've already confessed to God?

   David says that God is his "hiding place" (verse 7). 

   Where do you run/what do you go to when you are in pain or afraid? Why do you think you go to those things? What does it mean to be safe?

   In verses 8-10, we see that God is a LOVING counselor and guide, so we should trust Him rather than stubbornly refuse to obey.

   Do you believe God's commands are loving? Why or why not?
   Where is God guiding you right now?
   How do you tend to respond when God guides you onto a difficult path?

3. Psalm 32 ends with these words: "Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!"
   Righteous. Upright. David JUST wrote about the weight of his sin! How can a person who has sinned be righteous or upright? Here we see the miracle of God's forgiveness. 1John 1:9 says this: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."
   If you have received the life Jesus offers, you have been given the righteousness of Jesus — your sins have been paid for in full!

   Imagine your sins as heavy weights on your body. Imagine that Jesus will take any of those weights off if you let Him.
   What are those weights? Which ones are you going to let Jesus take off? He is strong enough to take off ALL of those weights! 

   David tells the righteous to rejoice and be glad!

   Praise God for the gift of HIS righteousness and purity. Thank Him for the heavy weight of sin He has taken off of you.