The psalmist committed something that strained his relationship with God

I. He uses three different terms to refer to the thing that caused the strain:

1. Transgression (verse 1)

2. Sin (verse 2)

3, Iniquity (verse 2)

II. For some strange reason, the psalmist did not repent and confess to God (verse 3). He remained “silent” about it probably for a period of time

1. He was unwilling to confess his sin, and attempted to conceal his guilt in his heart

2. In other words, he was not open with God

3. He probably thought that the guilt would eventually die away

4. Most likely, he would have kept himself busy with work, entertainment, activities, etc.,

III. When he remained silent חרשׁ, God pursued him to bring about repentance and confession

1. “your hand was heavy upon me”—(verse 4)

a. NET: day and night you tormented me

b. Continuous chastening of God

c. Though the psalmist was aware of the need for repentance, but stubbornly refused to yield to God

2. “bones wasted away” (verse 3)

a. Growing weak due to the bottling up evil within the soul

b. Feeling sick of heat from God’s chastening

3. “roaring all the day long”(kjv) “groaning all day and night” (verse 3)

a. the consequence of the pain of living with guilt and a stifled conscience

b. Constantly feeling discomfort

4. “My moisture is turned into the drought of summer” (kjv) “my strength was sapped”

a. Drying up of vitality and strength

b. Feeling exhausted

IV. The psalmist sees his misery as a result of God punishing him for his unwillingness to confess his sin (being stubborn)

V. Selah (interlude)

VI. A genuine believer cannot remain in a state of guilt and stay away from God (cf. 1 John 3:6, 9)

VII. God uses various means to keep His children close to Himself that includes chastisement

1. He was willing to be open and honest before God (verse 5)

a. I acknowledged my sin

b. I did not cover up my iniquity

c. I confessed my transgression

2. God forgave the guilt of his sin (verse 5)—it reflects in verse 1-2 (instant forgiveness)

3. Now, the psalmist is able to differentiate between unrepented state and repented state (verses 1-2)

a. Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven

b. Blessed is the one whose sins are covered

c. Blessed is the one whose sin the LORD does not count

d. Blessed is the who does not cover up his deceit

4. The minute he confessed, God forgave him

a. Inner peace

b. Relief to the mind

c. Healing

VIII. Selah (interlude)

1. A believer cannot remain in a life of sin or in a damaged relationship with God

2. God restores a repentant believer to a complete relationship with Him (cf. 1 John 1:9:)

3. Christian life is not a life without sin, but it is a life with a culture of confession and repentance (1 John 1:8-9)

4. A Christian stands before God, not because he/she is sinless or righteous, but because God has appointed an Advocate (Paraclete), who intercedes for us perpetually (1 John 2:1-2)

5. A Christian does not need to be in denial, but he/she needs to be vulnerable before God (1 John 1:5-7)

6. A Christian need to be constantly exposed to the Truth

IX. After having received God’s forgiveness and experienced a complete deliverance from his painful ordeal, the psalmist gives spiritual instruction to the onlookers/fellow believers (6-10)

X. The appeal is not to be stubborn, but to be teachable (v. 9)

XI. Jesus is the “paraclete” and our perpetual High Priest

1. 1 John 2:1-2: And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: And he is the propitiation for our sins

2. Hebrews 8:1: We have such a high priest, who is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens

3. For believers, accessing God and His forgiveness is made a lot easier because of the Mediator

Takeaway:

Come to God with confession and repentance, and enjoy the rich benefits of God’s forgiveness