Thinking about Psalms of Reconciliation and God's Holiness

Psalms 32 and 51 are psalms of repentance of reconciliation. Have you read them recently? Have you any personal sense of the depth of repentance which each includes?

Each recognizes God's holiness has been transgressed and judgment rightly levied. But there is more, too.

The Psalmist had experienced the consequences of silence:
"When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away through my groaning all the day long. For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; my vitality was drained away as with the fever heat of summer. Selah" (Ps. 32:3-4; NAS).

The Psalmist also experienced the comfort of repentance:
"I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I did not hide. I said, 'I will confess my transgressions to the LORD'; and You forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah" (Ps. 32:5; NAS).

The Psalmist also asked for more than forgiveness:
"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and sustain me with a willing spirit" (Ps. 51:10-12; NAS).

The Psalmist hears a call as a result:
"Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners will be converted to You...then my tongue will joyfully sing of Your righteousness" (Ps. 51:13, 14b; NAS).

Those of us who have experienced such forgiveness ought also to sing joyfully of His righteousness.