Psalm 32:1, 2
How blest is he whose trespass has freely been forgiv'n,
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.
Thus we sing from our Psalter versification of Psalm 32:1, 2 (PRC Psalter). What David wrote and our KJV of the Bible hands down to us is "Blessed is the man whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity." The word "blessed" can be translated "happy." And knowing David's grievous sins, we can understand why he called it blessed to have these sins forgiven. But what about our sins?
Usually we do not consider our sins to be as great as David's. And so often we find that, if we were called to write a psalm, we would not begin by bursting forth with happiness that our sins are covered, so that we would not list this first as blessedness. There is instead a host of earthly treasures and pleasures which, if we obtain them, we would classify as rich blessedness.
Yet here is the blessing that opens the door to all of heaven's blessings. And though the statement is negative in that something is taken away from us, there is a positive truth. Our sins are covered by the righteousness of Christ through His cross. No, they are not covered in the sense that His blood hides them from God's eyes. That is impossible. But we are given robes of righteousness to cover us, because all our sins were paid for in full. The cross covers us more fully than any insurance policy can. And Christ's righteousness becomes ours.
When we are clothed with those robes of righteousness we become beautiful in God's eyes. He sees us as the beautiful Bride of Christ. For the beauty of him, of whom it is said that God is well-pleased, shines forth from us. We reflect His beauty, belonging as we do, to Him.
Is that not great blessedness? Does that make you happy? Do you know that blessedness? Think about it today and every day.
Read: Psalm 32
Psalter versification: #83:1
Daily Meditations on the Heidelberg Catechism
Song for Meditation: Psalter #331
Why not sing along??
Through the Bible in One Year
Read today:
Genesis 13:5-18 ; Genesis 14; Genesis 15
Matthew 5:1-26
Psalm 6:1-10
Proverbs 1:29-33
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Quote for Reflection:
He would have the faithful not only to beware of contact with vices, but that no contagion might reach them, he reminds them that everything that borders on vices and is near to them ought to be avoided: as, when we speak of lasciviousness, we say that all excitements to lusts ought to be removed. The passage will also become clearer, when the whole sentence is filled up, that is, that we should hate not only the flesh, but also the garment, which, by a contact with it, is infected. – John Calvin
Additional Info
- Date: 6-January
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.