The blessedness of forgiveness.
What our Lord said to Simon before his fall, seems to have been said to David after his great transgression, "When thou art converted, strengthen the brethren" (Luke 22:32; Psalms 51:12, Psalms 51:13). Nobly was the duty performed. Many who were walking in darkness have here found light. Many who were deluding themselves with false hopes have here been taught the way of peace; many who have been hardening their hearts in sin have here been laid hold of, and led, as with cords of love, back to God. The burden of the psalm is the blessedness of forgiveness.
I. In the first place, we are taught that this is a DOCTRINE ACCORDING TO GODLINESS. (Psalms 32:1, Psalms 32:2.) Three things are set forth.
1. What sin is. The terms used are very significant, and deserve the deepest study: "transgression,' "sin," "iniquity." The evil is traced to the root. Our unhappiness is caused by sin (Psalms 32:3, Psalms 32:4).
2. Then we are shown how sin may be taken away. This is God's doing. There is a twofold work—something done for us, and something done in us. God thus meets the necessities of our case by not only removing guilt, but by renovating character.
3. The result is blessedness. This is the doctrine of the Law and the prophets (Exodus 34:6, Exodus 34:9; Le Exodus 16:21; Isaiah 53:5, Isaiah 53:6; Daniel 9:24). It is also the doctrine of the New Testament. The Law is fulfilled in Christ. In him God is reconciled to us, and we are reconciled to God. Paul and David agree (Romans 4:6, Romans 4:7). Justification is not of works, but of grace. There can be no true happiness till with all frankness and sincerity we confess our sins, and cast ourselves with simple faith on the mercy of God in Christ Jesus (Proverbs 28:13; Psalms 139:1-24:28, 24; 2 Corinthians 5:19, 2 Corinthians 5:21).
II. In the second place, THE BLESSEDNESS OF FORGIVENESS IS ILLUSTRATED FROM PERSONAL EXPERIENCE. The Bible contains both doctrines and facts, and while the doctrines explain the facts, the facts enforce the doctrines. When a man speaks of what he knows, when he tells of what he has himself gone through, when he sets forth facts bearing on our personal life and needs, we readily listen to his story.
1. First, we are shown the misery of the man who keeps silence as to his sins before God. (Psalms 32:3, Psalms 32:4.) For long David kept his sins to himself, in pride and sullenness. This was not only doing an injury to his own soul, but it was lying to men, and grievously offending against God. The result was wretchedness. He suffered in body and spirit. He could find no rest. Every effort that he made to better himself, so long as he refused to humble his heart before God by confession, only aggravated his pain. Wherever he went, his sins haunted him. Whatever he did, he could not rid himself of the terrible thought that God's judgments would fall upon him. How vividly does this bring out the evil of sin and the mercy of God! If left to ourselves, our sins would be our ruin; but God mercifully will not let us alone, His hand is laid upon us, in loving counsel and chastisement, till we are brought to repentance.
2. We are next shown the way of recovering the blessedness we haw lost. (Psalms 32:5, Psalms 32:6.) There had been a long and painful struggle. Now it is ended. Instead of pride, there is humility. Instead of hiding of sin, there is frank and full confession. Instead of holding back in sullenness from God, there is absolute surrender to his righteous judgment. The relief is instantaneous. What a blessed change! It is coming out of the dark into the light. It is abandoning all concealment and guile, and finding peace in God's love and mercy. How beautifully does the picture here agree with that other picture drawn by the hand of our Saviour!—"I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord;" "I will arise and go to my father, and will say unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee." "Thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin;" "When he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him" (Psalms 32:5; Luke 15:18-20).
III. In the third place, THE BLESSEDNESS or FORGIVENESS IS COMMENDED BY THE TESTIMONY OF GOD'S SAINTS. Augustine and others have given us their Confessions. These are not only a tale, but a testimony. They not only agree as witnessing for God, but they are a directory for the benefit of all anxious inquirers. So it was with David. We speaks not only for himself, but for others. He as much as says, "My case is not singular; God has dealt with others in the same way; this is the law of the kingdom." "He that covereth his sins shall not prosper; but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall find mercy." The lessons are—that forgiveness is a blessing greatly to be desired; that it is surely attainable by all who seek it in the right way; and that when enjoyed it brings new and abiding joys into life. There is both counsel and warning. God has his own way and his own time for showing mercy. There is a limit (Isaiah 55:6, Isaiah 55:7; Hebrews 3:1). Every pain of body, every remonstrance of reason, every compunction of conscience, are premonitions of judgment, and call for instant action. God in his providence and in his Word saith, "Now is the accepted time,"
IV. In the last place, we are shown how THE BLESSEDNESS OF FORGIVENESS IS IN AGREEMENT WITH GOD'S GRACIOUS PURPOSES TOWARDS HIS PEOPLE, When God begins, he will make an end. Forgiveness is the first thing, but it is introductory to other and greater blessings. Among men, when a criminal is released, he goes forth into society as with the brand of Cain on his brow. But God's ways are not as our ways. When he brings the sinner into a right relation to himself, he not only fully forgives, but he continues his love and mercy to the end. Life henceforth is divinely guided. Obedience is no longer a restraint, but a delight. The future is bright with hope, and will bring new blessings, calling for ever new gratitude and joy. When we can truly say, like Paul, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" then we can look on without fear to the end.—W.F.