Passage Introduction
As you read through this psalm, recognize that there are different voices speaking. The psalmist is sharing their personal experience in verses one through seven. The first two verses are the psalmists takeaways from their experience; these are the lessons they have learned. In these verses they are speaking directly to the reader. In verses three through five, they share their experience. They also change who they are addressing. They are sharing their experience so we can learn from it, but they are speaking directly to God about it; they are letting us eavesdrop for our own edification, however. In verse 6, the psalmist offers a request to those who are Godly would offer him a prayer. Verse seven recalls that they are kept safe and delivered when they trust in God.
In verse eight and nine, there is a change in who is speaking. Now God is responding to the psalmists. Again, we have the privilege of eavesdropping on the conversation. Finally, in verses ten and eleven, the psalmist again speaks, this time directly to their readers and summarizes what has been discussed so far.
As you read through this passage, listen for the change in who is speaking and reflect on what you can take away from the opportunity to eavesdrop on this conversation.
David Dalton
As you read through this psalm, recognize that there are different voices speaking. The psalmist is sharing their personal experience in verses one through seven. The first two verses are the psalmists takeaways from their experience; these are the lessons they have learned. In these verses they are speaking directly to the reader. In verses three through five, they share their experience. They also change who they are addressing. They are sharing their experience so we can learn from it, but they are speaking directly to God about it; they are letting us eavesdrop for our own edification, however. In verse 6, the psalmist offers a request to those who are Godly would offer him a prayer. Verse seven recalls that they are kept safe and delivered when they trust in God.
In verse eight and nine, there is a change in who is speaking. Now God is responding to the psalmists. Again, we have the privilege of eavesdropping on the conversation. Finally, in verses ten and eleven, the psalmist again speaks, this time directly to their readers and summarizes what has been discussed so far.
As you read through this passage, listen for the change in who is speaking and reflect on what you can take away from the opportunity to eavesdrop on this conversation.
David Dalton
Spiritual Practices: Lectio Divina
Lectio Divina, or Diving Reading, is a method of reading, reflecting on, and praying the Scripture that has been used by the church for centuries. It focuses on communing with God in Scripture rather than simply studying Scripture for intellectual understanding. Click here for more information on how to practice Lectio Divina. Here are some suggested verses in this passage that may lend themselves to conversation with God through the practice of Lectio Divina.
Suggested Verses
Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven,
whose sin is covered.
Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity,
and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
(Psalm 32:1-2)
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
(Psalm 32:5)
You are a hiding place for me;
you preserve me from trouble;
you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah
(Psalm 32:7)
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my eye upon you.
(Psalm 32:8)
Lectio Divina, or Diving Reading, is a method of reading, reflecting on, and praying the Scripture that has been used by the church for centuries. It focuses on communing with God in Scripture rather than simply studying Scripture for intellectual understanding. Click here for more information on how to practice Lectio Divina. Here are some suggested verses in this passage that may lend themselves to conversation with God through the practice of Lectio Divina.
Suggested Verses
Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven,
whose sin is covered.
Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity,
and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
(Psalm 32:1-2)
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
(Psalm 32:5)
You are a hiding place for me;
you preserve me from trouble;
you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah
(Psalm 32:7)
I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you with my eye upon you.
(Psalm 32:8)
Spiritual Practices: Confession
One the spiritual practices that we sometimes try to avoid is the practice of confession. We usually don't enjoy admitting ways in which we fail or fall short. We try to avoid facing our own limitations and struggles. There is a great value in confession, however. Look at what the writer of this psalm says in verse 5. He says that he acknowledged his sin to God and did not cover or hide it. This is the essence of confession. It is acknowledging our sin, our failings, to God. It is admitting our weaknesses and our struggles. The power of confession is that when we practice it, we we invite God into those areas of our life. We sometimes try to hide our sin from God, or even from ourselves. We try to overcome our struggles and temptations on our own. We act like we need to make ourselves better on our own before we can open ourselves up to God. The problem is that this never works. We don't have the ability to make ourselves better on our own. Confession changes that order. Instead of trying to make ourselves better so we can invite God into our lives, we invite God into our lives, even our struggles and failings, and allow him to change us from the inside out. Confession opens the door for God to enter even the darkest areas of our lives and bring his life into them. Confession doesn't have to be a negative thing, it can be one of the most powerful, transformative things we every do in our life with God.
David Dalton
One the spiritual practices that we sometimes try to avoid is the practice of confession. We usually don't enjoy admitting ways in which we fail or fall short. We try to avoid facing our own limitations and struggles. There is a great value in confession, however. Look at what the writer of this psalm says in verse 5. He says that he acknowledged his sin to God and did not cover or hide it. This is the essence of confession. It is acknowledging our sin, our failings, to God. It is admitting our weaknesses and our struggles. The power of confession is that when we practice it, we we invite God into those areas of our life. We sometimes try to hide our sin from God, or even from ourselves. We try to overcome our struggles and temptations on our own. We act like we need to make ourselves better on our own before we can open ourselves up to God. The problem is that this never works. We don't have the ability to make ourselves better on our own. Confession changes that order. Instead of trying to make ourselves better so we can invite God into our lives, we invite God into our lives, even our struggles and failings, and allow him to change us from the inside out. Confession opens the door for God to enter even the darkest areas of our lives and bring his life into them. Confession doesn't have to be a negative thing, it can be one of the most powerful, transformative things we every do in our life with God.
David Dalton