Psalm Meditation 1021
Baptism of the Lord
January 12, 2020

Psalm 32
1 Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
2 Happy are those to whom the Lord imputes no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
3 While I kept silence, my body wasted away through my groaning all day long.
4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah
5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not hide my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah
6 Therefore let all who are faithful offer prayer to you; at a time of distress, the rush of mighty waters shall not reach them.
7 You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with glad cries of deliverance. Selah
8 I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.
9 Do not be like a horse or a mule, without understanding, whose temper must be curbed with bit and bridle, else it will not stay near you.
10 Many are the torments of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds those who trust in the Lord.
11 Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart.
(NRSV)

Most of us have some experience with the feeling of guilt. It is the feeling of remorse and shame for having done something that is out of character for us, especially if someone else was hurt because of our actions. It is hard to look people in the eye for fear that they will be able to see we have done something bad and wrong. As long as this sin remains hidden we continue to be eaten up by our shame and remorse.

Once we tell someone, confess our sin, we feel part of the weight of wrongdoing slip away. The remorse for our actions remains as the shame is lifted through confession. The psalmist says it, “Then I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not hide my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Then I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not hide my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the guilt of my sin.” Our sin is exposed to the light and we need not fear that we will be found out.

Having confessed, we open ourselves to receive support from those around us, especially from God. Confession does not free us from the consequences of our sin, it frees us from the shame and guilt. As we have been taught by another and our own experience we can teach others the importance of confession. The psalmist tells us that the more we take this teaching to heart the more open we are to the steadfast love of God, and the love and support that comes from those around us.

January 6, 2020
LCM