I remember the day I faced a judge in court. It didn’t involve a criminal—or even civil—trial. I went in to dispute a parking ticket. My case was simple and yet my confrontation with the judge was intimidating. I was called to the stand. I stated my name and home address for the record before describing the details of the parking violation. If this judge was going to clear me of my hefty fine, I had to prove my innocence. Interestingly, the opposite happens in Psalm 32.

David, our psalmist, stands before a great Judge in Psalm 32. But he does so to argue his guilt—not his innocence. David admits his sins and instead of a conviction, this Judge grants forgiveness and full pardon. What kind of Judge is this? What criminal justice system on earth acquits a confessing offender? How should we understand this passage? How does Psalm 32 encourage a Christian to make bold confessions of sin before the holy Judge of heaven?

Psalm 32 doesn’t make light of sin. At the same time, it reminds us that God’s grace is bigger than the ugliest sin we could acknowledge. The passage teaches at least three truths: 1) We sin in both big and small ways; 2) our unconfessed sins bring heavy consequences; and 3) full confession brings complete forgiveness and joy in God’s presence.

Continue at Journeywomen Blog