“Many sorrows shall be to the wicked; but he who trusts in the LORD, mercy shall surround him.” Psalm 32:10
The unbelieving and wicked suffer God’s wrath in this life and His eternal condemnation in the life to come. Those who repent of their sins and look in faith to the LORD God for mercy and forgiveness for the sake of the atoning sacrifice of Christ Jesus are surrounded by the mercy of the LORD in this life and will, in the life to come, partake of the eternal joys of heaven!
Preserve me, O LORD, from the sorrows which come upon the impenitent and unbelieving, and keep me in the true and saving faith that Your mercy may surround me now and forever. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye. Do not be like the horse or like the mule, which have no understanding, which must be harnessed with bit and bridle, else they will not come near you.” Psalm 32:8-9
When we confess our sins to the LORD and look to Him for pardon and forgiveness in Christ Jesus, He forgives our sins and teaches us to walk in His ways; His Spirit instructs us with the words of Scripture. But God warns us not to be like a horse or a mule, which needs a bit and a bridle to get it to come near you and go where it is directed.
O LORD, forgive our transgressions for Jesus’ sake, teach us to live as You direct us in Your Word, and keep us from foolishly going our own ways instead of following after You. Amen.
“You are my hiding place; You shall preserve me from trouble; You shall surround me with songs of deliverance.” Psalm 32:7
Those who confess their sins and trust in the LORD God to forgive and accept them for the sake of Jesus Christ and His sacrifice on the cross for sin have a hiding place in the wounds of Jesus. The LORD preserves them from the judgments to come upon the impenitent and unbelieving and surrounds them with songs of praise for His salvation.
Let me hide under the shadow of Your cross, dear Lord Jesus, that I may be saved from Your righteous judgments upon this world and rejoice in Your mercy and forgiveness. Amen.
“For this cause everyone who is godly shall pray to You in a time when You may be found; surely in a flood of great waters they shall not come near him.” Psalm 32:6
The wise and godly will not delay acknowledging and confessing their sins to the LORD God and seeking His mercy and forgiveness for the sake of Christ Jesus and His atoning sacrifice on the cross. They will turn to the LORD for mercy now, while He may be found, and they will be spared in the time of God’s judgment upon the unrighteous.
Have mercy upon me, O God, and forgive my sins for the sake of the shed blood of Christ Jesus, Your Son, and my Savior. Amen.
“I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and You forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah” Psalm 32:5
Though every one of us is guilty of breaking God’s commandments in our thoughts, desires, words, and deeds, what a blessing it is that we can acknowledge and confess our sins unto the LORD God (instead of hiding them) and look to Him in faith for mercy and forgiveness for the sake of the atoning sacrifice of God’s Son, Jesus Christ, in our stead! And when we do, God graciously forgives our sins and counts us just and righteous in His sight for Jesus’ sake (cf. 1 John 1:5 — 2:2)!
I have broken Your commandments, O God. I am guilty and deserving of Your eternal wrath and punishment. Forgive my sins for Jesus’ sake, and grant me a place in Your everlasting kingdom. Amen.
