Psalm 30

This is a Psalm written by David at the time of the dedication of his house.

It seems that just before that, he found himself in a very distressing situation; perhaps some life-threatening sickness, vs 2,3! It seemed to him that God was angry with him, vs 5. However, he responds by crying out to God in repentance, for mercy, vs 8-10. What was his sin?

It so happened that when God prospered him, perhaps, giving him grace to complete the building of his house, he got proud and took the credit for himself, feeling that now nothing could ever shake him, vs 6.

But, on encountering God’s disciplining hand for the same, he is quick to realise that it was God’s favour that made him stand strong. He realised this, the moment God hid his face from him and he became troubled and was also shaken as a result, vs 7. Of course, God hears his cry which came from a contrite heart and visits him with his much-needed deliverance.

His mourning is turned into dancing and his heart is filled with gladness to the end that he is able to continue praising and thanking God for his deliverance, vs 1,11,12. He invites the saints of God to join him in praising God too, reminding us that God is holy and shows no partiality even to his favoured ones, when it comes to disciplining us for our sins vs 4!

So, let us remember not to become proud in our prosperity, but continue to glorify Him as God and give Him thanks for all His faithfulness, mercy and goodness upon our lives, which we simply don’t deserve, Romans:1:21.

Psalm 32

What a beautiful Psalm that tells us how we can receive forgiveness for our sins!

The first step is written in vs 3, which says, that we must honestly confess our sin. What was the result of living with unconfessed sin? In the Psalmist’s case, he experienced his body wasting away and he groaned in pain all day long, vs 3,4! Then, he came to his senses and confessed his sin, deciding not to cover up his wrong doings, but rather confess his rebellious acts, then he experienced immediate forgiveness, vs 5, 1 John 1:9! Now he advises us to pray to God in our hour of temptation, either for grace to overcome the temptation to sin, or to repent of the same, immediately after falling into any kind of sin.

It is then that calamity will be kept far from us and floods of great waters shall not come near to us, vs 6. As we seek God during these times, He promises to instruct us and teach us the way we should go and guide us with His eye, vs 8. However, we must determine not to be stubborn like the horse or mule that have no understanding, vs 9. For if we are like them, we will have many sorrows, vs 10.

However, if we choose to trust in the Lord by turning away from our sin, then His mercy shall undoubtedly surround us, vs 10. He will then be our hiding place, protecting us from distress, and surrounding us with shouts of joy, vs 7. In this way we can all be made righteous in God’s sight, being cleansed from our sin, by the precious blood of Jesus Christ, Hebrews 9:14.

The outcome of this will be gladness of heart and rejoicing, vs 11. And we too will conclude like the Psalmist in vs 1, and 2, saying, ‘ How blessed is the one whose rebellious acts are forgiven, whose sin is pardoned!

How blessed is the one whose wrongdoing the LORD does not punish, in whose spirit there is no deceit.’

Praise God, that we can all be free from sin and deceit, because of the glorious Gospel of the Kingdom of God, made available to us through Christ Jesus our Lord. Amen.

Rowena Thomas
Mumbai, India