Timeless Biblical Truth.
When believers sincerely confess their sins, (i) they will be blessed with God’s complete forgiveness and (ii) will avoid divine discipline.
- God’s complete forgiveness of the believer’s sin brings blessing to those who genuinely seek it (1, 2).
- God’s forgiveness brings blessing (1).
- God’s forgiveness is complete (2a).
- God’s forgiveness comes to those who genuinely seek it (2b).
- God may motive us to confess our sins by divine discipline (3-5).
- Failure to confess sin brings divine discipline (3-4).
- But a confession of sin brings forgiveness (5).
- To avoid divine discipline, believers must seek the LORD’s forgiveness (6-7).
- Believers will rejoice in the LORD’s loving care when they submit to Him and do not stubbornly resist His instructions (8-11).
- Believers should receive, not stubbornly resist, the LORD’s instruction (8-9).
- Unlike the fate of the wicked, believers will rejoice in the LORD’s loyal, loving care (10-11).
Questions for Second Milers
- What is the main idea of this psalm as stated in verses 1 and 2?
- Verses 3 and 4 describe the psychosomatic results that came to David for his unconfessed sin. What may be other signs of divine discipline for unconfessed sin? Have you experienced divine discipline for unconfessed sin? What was it?
- According to verse 5, what is divine discipline designed to do?
- According to verses 6 and 7, what does the psalmist conclude in his prayer of praise to God? Have you praised God for His forgiveness and found Him to be your hiding place?
- Forgiveness also leads to public testimony and instruction (verses 8-10). What is your testimony to others of your forgiveness?
- How have you been like a horse or a mule recently?
- What sin(s) in your life needs to be acknowledged to enable you to rejoice?
- Give your own short title to this psalm.
Lanny Tanton is the Pastor at The Bible Church of the Lakes in Horseshoe Bay, Texas – just outside of Marble Falls. Pastor Tanton welcomes you to our website and hopes that you’ll enjoy reading these insightful blog posts. Please contact us if you have further questions!!


