Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven,
whose sin is covered.
2 Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity,
and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
3 For when I kept silent, my bones 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 I acknowledged my sin to you,
and I did not cover my iniquity;
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,”
and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah
6 Therefore let everyone who is godly
offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found;
surely in the rush of great waters,
they shall not reach him.
7 You are a hiding place for me;
you preserve me from trouble;
you surround me with shouts of deliverance.
The words of this Psalm are appropriate for today, September 11, the day we Americans recall the terrorist attacks on our country, the day on which we lost so many, the day which changed our lives so dramatically. The Psalm tells us of the one to whom we can go to find real comfort, truth, and peace in the midst of pain, suffering, fear, and doubt, the Lord God Almighty.
This Psalm is a prayer of David in thanksgiving for forgiveness of sin. David described the burden of unconfessed sin in terms of a serious physical illness, one which sapped all his strength. No doubt we have all felt that sick burden of guilt and shame, a burden the Holy Spirit uses to lead sinners to repentance and the restoration of fellowship with God our Father.
Unfortunately, those in the world who do not have faith in Jesus place their trust in other gods (which are not gods). Rather they trust in material things, possessions, money, medicine, government, and themselves, none of which can help them to relieve the burden of shame and guilt we all bear. Instead, they seek relief by ignoring their conscience or dulling it through substance abuse, or by relying on the voices of others who tell them not to be ashamed but to embrace their sinfulness as self-fulfillment.
Sadly, many seek relief through suicide never aware that forgiveness and mercy can be found by faith in Jesus if they would only repent and confess. When we confess forgiveness is granted and the burden of sin and guilt is lifted off of us for God sees only the loving sacrificial offering of Jesus, not our sin. His atoning blood shows not our wickedness but the righteousness of Jesus imputed unto us.