This Psalm flows out of the great anguish of David’s heart as he was weighed down by the load of his guilt. Guilt can come to a person from the dread of the past, a pain that wells up within our heart because of an offence committed. Unresolved guilt can be crippling and be a reason for depression and other unwanted consequences in life. But guilt can be constructive when like an electric shock it jolts us when we begin to stray beyond our boundaries. David had the same jolt which we see as he bares his heart through this Psalm that points us to how to overcome guilt.

​

• Admit your guilt (V5) – Unless and until the baggage of the past is dealt with, its difficult to live healthily in the future. The first step on the road to recovery and relief is admitting that something is wrong in our life and we need God’s help! David was willing to admit his sin before God: “I acknowledge my sin to You.”

• Confront the guilt (V5) – It is vain to hide our sin from God. Psalm 139:7[NLT] says, “I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence!” Hence sin and guilt must be confronted and addressed.  David did the same: “my iniquity I have not hidden.”

• Confess your guilt (V5) – Confession means ‘to agree with.’ To confess our sins to God means we agree that we have rebelled against God’s authority. Guilt is dispelled only when truth is told. Prov.28:13 says, “Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.” When we confess we receive His mercy and forgiveness and guilt melts off from our heart. David knew very well that nothing could bring him relief and comfort unless he confesses and hence he says, “I will confess my transgression to the Lord.”

 

When we admit our guilt, it leads us to confess, then the Lord promises to forgive. “But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.” (1John1:9 NLT). Only when we experience such forgiveness, will we be able to sing along with David, “Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, and whose spirit there is no deceit.” (Vs.1&2)

​

Let’s see the blessings of God’s forgiveness in this Psalm:

• The blessing of a clean conscience – The assurance of forgiveness gives us a clear conscience. The Word of God gives us that assurance in Hebrews 8: 12: “For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” Only when we place the burden of our sin upon Christ, with our confession, will we be able to enjoy the blessing of a clear conscience. David declares that God forgave the guilt of his sin!

• The blessing of God as your refuge – V4 says that God’s hand was heavy upon David due to his sin but as soon as he confesses, God becomes the hiding place for David (V7). What a blessing it is that instead of having to run away from God, now we can run to God and know we are safe!

• The blessing of God’s joy – In the end David declares that if you trust in the Lord, you will always be surrounded by His mercy. Who can stop you from expressing the joy when you are declared by the greatest Judge Himself as ‘NOT GUILTY!’

 

If anyone is living with sin or guilt today— admit, confess and receive God’s forgiveness so that you can receive the blessings of being GUILT-FREE!

​

Thought for the Day: “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret…” (2Cor.7:10)