October 20, 2012

Praying Psalm 32

Surround me!
What is the title of Psalm 32?  A Maskil of David (A contemplative Psalm )

Read Psalm 32:1-2
1 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.

Who is blessed?
Blessed means happy – A relationship has been given these things:
FORGIVEN, sin covered. The Lord doesn’t hold accountable.

Read Psalm 32:3-4
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

What is the problem?
Silent about sin = I was wasting away – This is body stuff!
SIN is more than doing bad things, It’s confessing what problems this world really has.
GOD was doing this “hand heavy upon me”.

Read 32:5
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

What does a “happy man” do?
Acknowledge sin – say I’m nothing! This world is broken!
Love, forgiveness – want something more.

Read 32:6-7
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. Selah

What does David encourage?
LET the CHESED ones = Pray (Chesed is mercy & grace shown to his people)
Flood = image of terror and death & God’s control – waters will not reach him. (many examples from OT history)
Personal deliverance = hide, preserve, HOW? Shouts of deliverance – God’s WORD shouting his promises in your ear!!! This is what WE do for EACH other.
 
Read 32:8-11
8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.
9 Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you.
10 Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord.
11 Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!

What does David do for his people?
Instructs them – way to trust
NOT like a horse or mule (restrained by force) (LAW)
TRUST = chesed surrounding him (mercy, steadfast love, relationship)
Tell them to rejoice – not because they “feel” happy. Rather they have a God who saves, they ARE blessed.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR ME?

What is the purpose of this Psalm/prayer?
Describing the BLESSED man = one who confesses sin.
Encourage to trust - God will hid and deliver
Teach - trust.

How does Christ fulfill this psalm?
Christ is THE forgiveness in v.5. We can boldly say we’re sinners because we know we don’t personally pay for it Christ DID! 

How can we pray this? TEACH us to trust!!

 
WE PRAY:  

As the head of the family should teach it in a simple way to his household.

Our Father who art in heaven.

What does this mean? God would thereby [with this little introduction] tenderly urge us to believe that He is our true Father, and that we are His true children, so that we may ask Him confidently with all assurance, as dear children ask their dear father.

 

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