The Joy of Forgiveness

We have finished working our way through David’s prayer of repentance, Psalm 51. But before we leave this episode in David’s life and the subject of repentance, we would do well to look at Psalm 32, which is the sequel to Psalm 51. Here we find how God answered David’s requests for forgiveness and restoration.

It becomes obvious from the first verse of Psalm 32 that God did indeed accept the sacrifice of David’s broken and contrite heart. David immediately begins to sing of the blessedness of one who experiences divine forgiveness. The pain of repentance for his gross sin has passed away, and he has been restored to the joy of knowing God. He knows that his sins have been covered by the blood of the future sacrifice (Jesus Christ). And he knows that God is not imputing his sins to him (that is, not charging them to his account, but to Christ’s). God has done all David asked in Psalm 51; he is restored and full of joy.

In the midst of this expression of joy, David pauses to reflect on the period before God brought him to repentance (vv. 3–5), something all forgiven people should do. Through the ages, the saints have spoken of “the dark night of the soul,” when God seems to have abandoned His child. David here describes his “dark night.” It was an experience of heavy conviction; he was burdened by his guilt. It was like a “drought of summer,” like a desert, for the sweetness and vitality was gone from his relationship to God. Finally, he was brought to see his need for restoration, and he acknowledged his sin to God. He stopped trying to conceal it from the all-seeing God and confessed it to Him. And wonder of wonders, he says, “You forgave the iniquity of my sin.” With that, David begins to be swept away by praise. He lauds God as a safe place in the midst of floods, as a “hiding place,” and as the one who preserves him from trouble. God, he says, “surrounds” him with “songs of deliverance” (v. 7) and with “mercy” (v. 10). For all of these blessings, God’s people ought to “shout for joy.”

A curious thing happens in verses 8 and 9—God begins to speak, and He promises to guide His people in the way of righteousness. He warns them not to be like beasts who must be guided under compulsion. Rather, they should follow Him willingly and joyfully, not kicking at the goads. This is the way of righteousness, peace, and joy.