Psalm 32:1
If there is one thing that we all need, it is the forgiveness of our sins. Since there is none that doeth good, no not one, we all need to have our sins blotted out, or everlasting punishment lies before us. As Paul wrote in I Corinthians 15:22: "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive." In Adam all of us are guilty, and the wages of sin is death. Unless we have our guilt removed, we will enter everlasting punishment.
But thanks be to God, those whom He chose in Christ have their sins covered, as we read in Psalm 32:1: "Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered." And that one's sin is covered does not mean that it is hidden from God's eyes. No one and nothing can be hid from His everywhere-present and powerful eyes. Psalm 139:4-12 states that loudly and clearly. And in Psalm 32:1 David says that our sins are forgiven. God sent His Son to suffer fully the punishment, and to do fully the work of love we failed to begin to do. Therefore our sins are covered, as an insurance policy covers all the damages and expenses. Our sins will cost us nothing, for the Son of God paid the full price of our salvation.
One truth clearly and repeatedly taught in the book of Psalms is that we have atonement, the blotting out of our sins. And one of the beautiful songs God gives us to sing is this versification of David's words ((PRC Psalter):
How blest is he whose trespass
Hath freely been forgiven,
Whose sin is wholly covered
Before the sight of heav'n.
Blest he to whom Jehovah
Imputeth not his sin,
Who hath a guileless spirit,
Whose heart is true within.
Learn that song and take it with you all the rest of our life. Sing it every day for your comfort, for we add to our sins every day of our lives. Atonement is reconciliation and means that God's justice is satisfied. Full payment has been made for all our sins by God's Son. And that gives us the right to sing that we are blessed by God's grace. But then let us bless and praise God for this wonderful gift which is so freely given us. It cost His Son His life. It costs us nothing. Salvation is a free gift.
Read: Psalm 32
Psalter versification: #83:1
(Words and Music of the Psalter)
Meditations on the Heidelberg Catechism
Through the Bible in One Year
Read today:
Joshua 5 ; Joshua 6 ; Joshua 7:1-15
Luke 15:1-32
Psalm 81:1-16
Proverbs 13:1
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Quote for Reflection:
"The law may break the heart with fear; it is only grace that works that sweet humility that becomes joy to the soul as its second nature. It was the revelation of God in His holiness, drawing nigh to make Himself known in His grace that made Abraham, Jacob, Job and Isaiah bow so low.... It is the sinner basking in the full light of God’s holy, redeeming love, in the experience of that indwelling divine compassion of Christ, who cannot but be humble. Not to be occupied with your sin but to be fully occupied with God brings deliverance from self." — Andrew Murray
Additional Info
- Date: 12-April
Heys, John A.
Rev. John A. Heys was born on March 16, 1910 in Grand Rapids, MI. He was ordained and installed into the ministry at Hope, Walker, MI in 1941. He later served at Hull, Iowa beginning in 1955. In 1959 he accepted the call to serve the South Holland, IL Protestant Reformed Church. He received and accepted the call to Holland, Michigan Protestant Reformed Church in 1967. He retired from the active ministry in 1980. He entered into glory on February 16, 1998.