WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:03.240 The Psalter is one of the pinnacles of the Old Testament. 00:00:03.379 --> 00:00:09.519 So when we read the Psalter, it's like seeing different photos of the majestic picture of God's glory. 00:00:09.519 --> 00:00:12.060 The majestic collage of God's glory. 00:00:13.140 --> 00:00:17.980 So Psalm 1 and 2 is a singular song in the Hebrew. 00:00:18.620 --> 00:00:24.879 It serves as an introduction to the Psalter, an interpretive lens on how we read the rest of the Psalms. 00:00:25.260 --> 00:00:28.339 Psalm 1 depicts this ideal man, this representative. 00:00:29.260 --> 00:00:34.320 And Psalm 2 puts a face to the ideal man, applying Psalm 1 to Psalm 2. 00:00:34.899 --> 00:00:36.079 So read verse 1 with me. 00:00:36.519 --> 00:00:43.840 Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers. 00:00:44.780 --> 00:00:51.859 The word blessed is the man, the word for man there, Adam, is in the singular and portrays a representative. 00:00:52.439 --> 00:00:56.219 It could be interpreted the blessed man or the blessings of the man. 00:00:56.219 --> 00:01:01.000 So Psalm 1 can be understood as that way. 00:01:01.000 --> 00:01:05.840 The blessed man in Psalm 1 thinks on God's word day and night, as we read in verse 2. 00:01:06.780 --> 00:01:14.659 He thinks it in such a way that it affects his thoughts, his affections, and his actions, so that they would be in line with God's. 00:01:15.000 --> 00:01:18.920 This man knows God, and he will stand in the congregation of the righteous. 00:01:18.920 --> 00:01:27.980 Now the second man in Psalm 1 is the wicked man who turns away from God and revels in his own counsel. 00:01:28.540 --> 00:01:31.120 Those who do not heed his counsel, scorn. 00:01:31.680 --> 00:01:34.900 Those who do not heed the counsel of the wicked, he scorns and scoffs at. 00:01:35.579 --> 00:01:39.200 This man will be like the chaff that gets blown away. 00:01:39.200 --> 00:01:45.159 And he will not know God, and he will fall on the day of judgment and perish. 00:01:45.980 --> 00:01:51.719 The blessed man of Psalm 1 is revealed as the righteous king of Psalm 2, as we go into Psalm 2. 00:01:52.359 --> 00:01:55.240 The righteous king takes counsel with Yahweh himself. 00:01:56.099 --> 00:02:01.960 The wicked of Psalm 1 are identified as the wicked rulers of Psalm 2. 00:02:02.420 --> 00:02:06.920 The wicked rulers take counsel together, and they scoff at the blessed man. 00:02:06.920 --> 00:02:15.099 Therefore, there is a warning to the wicked kings that they should not take counsel together and scoff the authority of the righteous king. 00:02:15.539 --> 00:02:18.719 And the warning is that if they do not submit to them, they will be crushed. 00:02:20.039 --> 00:02:21.920 Read Psalm 2.12 with me. 00:02:23.759 --> 00:02:27.740 Kiss the son, lest he be angry, and you perish in the way. 00:02:28.280 --> 00:02:30.280 For his wrath is quickly kindled. 00:02:30.780 --> 00:02:33.840 Blessed are all who take refuge in him. 00:02:33.840 --> 00:02:41.200 In Psalm 1.2, we see the blessed man of Psalm 1 as the messianic king of Psalm 2. 00:02:41.920 --> 00:02:49.680 The audience of Psalm 1 who are listening and reading and seeing this are being warned that unless they take refuge in the messianic king, 00:02:49.939 --> 00:02:53.539 they will be crushed like the wicked rulers of Psalm 2. 00:02:54.219 --> 00:02:56.580 And we see his point further in Psalm 3.8. 00:02:57.099 --> 00:02:57.620 It says, 00:02:57.620 --> 00:02:59.800 Salvation belongs to the Lord. 00:03:00.259 --> 00:03:01.800 Your blessing be on your people. 00:03:02.219 --> 00:03:05.480 Do you see the connection that blessed the man of Psalm 1 as the royal son? 00:03:05.980 --> 00:03:08.879 And that all who take refuge in him are blessed and will be blessed. 00:03:09.200 --> 00:03:12.060 And then in Psalm 3, it says that salvation belongs to the Lord. 00:03:12.219 --> 00:03:13.680 Blessing be on your people. 00:03:13.780 --> 00:03:15.759 Those who are finding refuge in the son. 00:03:15.759 --> 00:03:28.560 So, as we come to the Psalm 32, this understanding of Psalm 1 and 2 sets up an interpretive paradigm, a way for us to understand the rest of the Psalms. 00:03:29.199 --> 00:03:42.859 This understanding of Psalm 1 and 2 shows that those who submit to the blessed king find forgiveness, refuge, comfort, loving kindness, faithfulness, and eternal life. 00:03:42.860 --> 00:03:55.060 But those who do not submit to the righteous king will receive justice, the righteousness of God, recompense, cursing, and everlasting sorrow. 00:03:56.160 --> 00:03:58.660 With this understanding, turn with me to Psalm 32. 00:04:12.860 --> 00:04:25.860 Before we begin the Psalm, I'd like to introduce it briefly by discussing a central theme of verses 1-5. 00:04:26.660 --> 00:04:31.240 David is describing his experience of wrestling with guilt and unrepentant sin. 00:04:32.020 --> 00:04:38.580 He explicitly describes the effect that this has on the state of his heart and how that is affecting his physical condition. 00:04:38.579 --> 00:04:45.399 While he loved God and desired him deeply, he wrestled with sin in this body of death. 00:04:46.060 --> 00:04:47.319 He was lured by lust. 00:04:47.879 --> 00:04:48.519 He was murdered. 00:04:49.039 --> 00:04:49.939 He murdered a man. 00:04:50.539 --> 00:04:51.500 He committed adultery. 00:04:52.180 --> 00:04:54.459 When his children sinned, he had been passive. 00:04:55.159 --> 00:04:56.000 He got angry. 00:04:56.519 --> 00:04:58.979 He manipulated circumstances in his favor. 00:04:59.879 --> 00:05:04.060 He is one who has experienced the consequences of his sin, as we see through the narrative. 00:05:04.060 --> 00:05:09.639 David was familiar with the grief of his own sin. 00:05:10.600 --> 00:05:11.800 What about you today? 00:05:12.740 --> 00:05:17.199 Are there sins you've committed that you feel the weight of upon your shoulders? 00:05:17.939 --> 00:05:20.600 Are there things that you are shameful for? 00:05:21.680 --> 00:05:27.740 I'm not sure if any one of you that are in here today are currently experiencing shame or guilt, 00:05:28.139 --> 00:05:31.279 or experiencing regarding things you've done in the past. 00:05:31.279 --> 00:05:37.019 But Psalm 32 is a passage of scripture that is like a wonderful salve for our soul, 00:05:37.559 --> 00:05:39.119 and rich food for the needy. 00:05:39.419 --> 00:05:45.919 It's a passage that provides relief from this massive burden of guilt and helps rid our stains of sin. 00:05:46.659 --> 00:05:51.899 So today, in Psalm 32, we will see the godly should be the happiest of people 00:05:51.899 --> 00:05:56.239 because they have been forgiven and received the blessings of forgiveness. 00:05:56.240 --> 00:06:00.900 We will also see that the one who is unrepentant, bearing his guilt, 00:06:01.280 --> 00:06:05.019 should heed the lesson of the psalm, do not be a mule. 00:06:06.540 --> 00:06:08.000 We'll see this through four points. 00:06:08.180 --> 00:06:12.660 The first point we'll see this through is point number one, the happy state of the forgiven. 00:06:15.139 --> 00:06:18.939 Second point, the divine blessings of the forgiven. 00:06:18.939 --> 00:06:24.620 The third point, do not be a mule. 00:06:25.319 --> 00:06:26.279 Seek God in prayer. 00:06:27.980 --> 00:06:33.220 And the fourth point, sorrow for the wicked and joy for the righteous. 00:06:33.759 --> 00:06:34.759 Now I'll repeat these points again. 00:06:35.939 --> 00:06:39.000 Point number one, the happy state of the forgiven. 00:06:40.180 --> 00:06:43.579 Point number two, the divine blessings of the forgiven. 00:06:44.540 --> 00:06:46.579 Point number three, do not be a mule. 00:06:47.079 --> 00:06:48.199 Seek God in prayer. 00:06:48.939 --> 00:06:52.540 And point number four, sorrow for the wicked and joy for the righteous. 00:06:53.439 --> 00:06:54.639 Read Psalm 32 with me. 00:06:56.740 --> 00:07:01.680 A masculine of David, blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, 00:07:02.139 --> 00:07:03.439 whose sin is covered. 00:07:04.220 --> 00:07:07.659 Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, 00:07:08.180 --> 00:07:10.220 and whose spirit there is no deceit. 00:07:10.939 --> 00:07:14.199 For when I kept quiet, my bones wasted away, 00:07:14.899 --> 00:07:17.220 through my groaning all day long. 00:07:17.220 --> 00:07:21.180 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me. 00:07:21.820 --> 00:07:25.600 My strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. 00:07:26.400 --> 00:07:26.840 Selah. 00:07:27.840 --> 00:07:31.780 I acknowledge my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity. 00:07:32.320 --> 00:07:34.900 I said I'll confess my transgression to the Lord, 00:07:35.140 --> 00:07:37.440 and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. 00:07:38.020 --> 00:07:38.580 Selah. 00:07:38.579 --> 00:07:44.919 Therefore, let everyone who is godly offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found. 00:07:45.279 --> 00:07:49.539 Surely, in the rush of great waters, they shall not reach him. 00:07:50.240 --> 00:07:52.159 You are a hiding place for me. 00:07:52.560 --> 00:07:54.560 You preserve me from trouble. 00:07:54.899 --> 00:07:57.680 You surround me with shouts of deliverance. 00:07:58.279 --> 00:07:58.759 Selah. 00:07:58.759 --> 00:07:59.360 Selah. 00:07:59.360 --> 00:08:02.579 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go. 00:08:02.980 --> 00:08:05.920 I will counsel you with my eye upon you. 00:08:06.420 --> 00:08:09.939 Be not like the horse or a mule without understanding. 00:08:10.560 --> 00:08:14.219 You must be curved with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you. 00:08:14.220 --> 00:08:22.200 Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord. 00:08:22.960 --> 00:08:30.440 Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart. 00:08:32.580 --> 00:08:35.240 Psalm 32 offers a remark under the heading. 00:08:36.399 --> 00:08:37.720 It does not have a verse number. 00:08:37.800 --> 00:08:39.779 So if you look into the text, you see the heading says, 00:08:40.360 --> 00:08:42.019 Blessed are the forgiven. 00:08:42.019 --> 00:08:45.720 Under it, there is a phrase that has no number one. 00:08:45.919 --> 00:08:47.240 It's a masculine of David. 00:08:48.319 --> 00:08:49.960 This is what we call the superscription. 00:08:50.519 --> 00:08:55.319 It does not appear in every psalm, but when it does, it helps us understand the context of the psalm. 00:08:55.559 --> 00:08:58.919 Oftentimes, this will give you an understanding of what the meaning of the psalm is. 00:09:00.199 --> 00:09:04.539 So often this provides an author, an event, a genre. 00:09:05.179 --> 00:09:07.579 The heading of the psalm is not in the Hebrew-inspired. 00:09:07.840 --> 00:09:10.100 The superscription is in the Hebrew, and it is inspired. 00:09:10.100 --> 00:09:14.920 So it's wise for us to see what it says and to understand how that influences the text. 00:09:15.500 --> 00:09:16.840 Here it is a genre. 00:09:17.399 --> 00:09:19.440 We see that's a masculine of David. 00:09:20.180 --> 00:09:23.560 A masculine is a word in the Hebrew that means to instruct or to consider. 00:09:24.100 --> 00:09:26.460 So this psalm is a piece of poetic wisdom. 00:09:27.139 --> 00:09:31.000 It helps provide us understanding and wisdom in our relationship with God. 00:09:31.000 --> 00:09:37.080 So with this in mind, let us learn from God's eternal word in Psalm 32 and apply it to our hearts. 00:09:38.460 --> 00:09:41.340 Number one, the happy state of the forgiven. 00:09:42.480 --> 00:09:47.820 As we begin to explore Psalm 32, keep in mind that Psalm 1 and 2 are lens by which we see the psalms. 00:09:47.820 --> 00:09:53.860 So in this passage, the blessed are those who find refuge in the royal son for his forgiveness. 00:09:55.280 --> 00:10:04.660 This makes us, so as we see that, we'll see that the blessed are those who find refuge in the son for his forgiveness, his protection, and his instruction. 00:10:04.659 --> 00:10:11.639 The wicked are those who do not heed the counsel of the Lord and follow the way of the mule, the way of the foolish. 00:10:12.659 --> 00:10:13.779 So Psalm 31, 2. 00:10:14.879 --> 00:10:19.039 Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. 00:10:20.419 --> 00:10:23.719 The one whose experience forgiven is blessed in the text. 00:10:24.100 --> 00:10:27.839 We will come back to what it means to be blessed after we survey this text. 00:10:27.840 --> 00:10:30.920 But let's talk about why they are blessed. 00:10:31.100 --> 00:10:34.360 Here we see that they are blessed because they are forgiven. 00:10:35.160 --> 00:10:37.660 So it makes me ask, what does it mean to be forgiven? 00:10:38.420 --> 00:10:42.879 And the way that I've found helpful to break this down is, what is one forgiven from? 00:10:43.860 --> 00:10:45.660 And what does it mean to be forgiven? 00:10:46.240 --> 00:10:47.920 So we're going to survey that in two points. 00:10:48.139 --> 00:10:50.280 What is one forgiven from in the text? 00:10:50.420 --> 00:10:52.080 And what does it mean to be forgiven? 00:10:52.080 --> 00:10:58.139 So in the text, there's this blessed individual who's forgiven from their transgressions. 00:10:58.759 --> 00:11:04.620 To transgress is one who has decisively rebelled against the authority of God. 00:11:06.000 --> 00:11:09.040 Their trespass is against God who created the heavens and the earth. 00:11:09.600 --> 00:11:11.560 He is the creator and we are the creatures. 00:11:12.040 --> 00:11:15.800 He has every right to establish what is right and what is wrong. 00:11:16.740 --> 00:11:18.820 When one transgresses, they reject his authority. 00:11:18.820 --> 00:11:26.000 So this person in Psalm 32 is forgiven from the countless times they have rejected God's authority over them 00:11:26.000 --> 00:11:31.520 and decided their understanding, their counsel, their feelings are superior to God. 00:11:32.100 --> 00:11:34.900 The text also says that their sin is covered. 00:11:35.720 --> 00:11:37.080 Sin is missing the mark. 00:11:37.180 --> 00:11:40.280 You're aiming at a target and the mark that's missed is what God has commanded. 00:11:40.879 --> 00:11:44.940 But sin is also disobedience against God when they do not do what God has said. 00:11:47.040 --> 00:11:48.120 But sin is more than that. 00:11:48.120 --> 00:11:50.179 Sin is not just one disobedience. 00:11:50.259 --> 00:11:50.940 It's a condition. 00:11:51.460 --> 00:11:56.120 Before one is saved and experiences the healing salve of forgiveness, 00:11:56.460 --> 00:11:57.519 they have a heart issue. 00:11:58.320 --> 00:12:02.220 A sin issue in which they delight in their sin and transgressions against God. 00:12:02.960 --> 00:12:05.779 In fact, they hate God before they are saved. 00:12:06.279 --> 00:12:08.299 This heart condition of one before they are forgiven 00:12:08.299 --> 00:12:13.220 is one of the wicked who will not stand in the judgment of God. 00:12:13.220 --> 00:12:17.820 So with that said, one is forgiven from their transgressions. 00:12:18.300 --> 00:12:20.180 What does it mean to be forgiven? 00:12:21.500 --> 00:12:25.820 The Hebrew root here for forgiven in the text is to lift or carry. 00:12:26.240 --> 00:12:28.540 To forgive someone from their transgressions, 00:12:28.639 --> 00:12:31.680 for their transgressions to be lifted and carried away. 00:12:32.960 --> 00:12:34.720 We see this language used throughout Scripture 00:12:34.720 --> 00:12:39.519 and it gives us an understanding of the liberating and precious doctrine of forgiveness. 00:12:40.740 --> 00:12:43.200 Bear with me while I belabor this point for a second. 00:12:44.220 --> 00:12:46.240 In Leviticus, when one would sin, 00:12:46.940 --> 00:12:48.480 they would bear the weight of their sin. 00:12:48.980 --> 00:12:50.320 As if having it on their back. 00:12:50.779 --> 00:12:53.800 Instead of their sin being carried, they're carrying it. 00:12:55.300 --> 00:12:57.259 Therefore, when one sins, they have to deal with it. 00:12:57.879 --> 00:13:00.860 And to deal with it, they would have to go and sacrifice a female goat. 00:13:01.040 --> 00:13:03.060 And they would bring this female goat before the priest. 00:13:03.300 --> 00:13:05.519 They would put their hand on the head and kill the goat. 00:13:05.519 --> 00:13:09.319 And then the priest would take it and make propitiation for that individual. 00:13:09.320 --> 00:13:12.879 But this act was like an act of transferring one's sin, 00:13:13.379 --> 00:13:15.200 one's iniquity to this goat. 00:13:15.700 --> 00:13:17.080 And then it would provide forgiveness. 00:13:18.600 --> 00:13:23.980 In Leviticus 16, on the National Festival Day of Atonement, 00:13:24.500 --> 00:13:27.560 people of Israel would gather before the priest and they would bring two goats. 00:13:27.559 --> 00:13:34.219 And the priest would take one goat and offer it as a sin offering before God and make propitiation. 00:13:34.779 --> 00:13:38.599 Then the priest would take the other goat, this goat called the scapegoat. 00:13:38.899 --> 00:13:42.099 And he would confess over it all the iniquities of the people, 00:13:42.359 --> 00:13:44.500 all their transgressions, all their sins. 00:13:44.759 --> 00:13:47.359 And this scapegoat we sent away from the camp, 00:13:47.599 --> 00:13:50.159 bearing the weight of iniquity and sins, 00:13:50.159 --> 00:13:51.699 and it would be no more. 00:13:53.019 --> 00:13:55.860 These practices were important for the people of Israel to seek forgiveness. 00:13:56.759 --> 00:13:59.879 When they sinned, they looked to God by faith in the sacrifices. 00:14:00.799 --> 00:14:04.819 And the prophets made clear that sacrifices themselves do not save. 00:14:05.019 --> 00:14:07.719 There is no works that will save us. 00:14:09.579 --> 00:14:13.439 But it is the faith itself is what is accounted to them as righteous, 00:14:13.439 --> 00:14:14.919 as we see in Genesis 15. 00:14:15.799 --> 00:14:17.139 For the audience of this psalm, 00:14:17.240 --> 00:14:19.740 they would understand that salvation belongs to the Lord. 00:14:19.740 --> 00:14:23.560 And for them to be saved would be for them to sacrifice 00:14:23.560 --> 00:14:26.600 and by faith look to God and look to his promises. 00:14:27.779 --> 00:14:29.379 So after David passed away, 00:14:29.560 --> 00:14:32.200 during the reign of King Uzziah, 00:14:32.639 --> 00:14:34.200 Isaiah began his prophetic ministry. 00:14:34.379 --> 00:14:36.820 He began prophesying and ministering to the people. 00:14:38.080 --> 00:14:40.240 Isaiah picks up on the language of Leviticus 00:14:40.240 --> 00:14:43.120 and the imagery we see in Leviticus in Isaiah 53. 00:14:43.759 --> 00:14:46.100 And he applies this to the servant of the Lord. 00:14:46.779 --> 00:14:48.519 So if you will, take your copy of God's Word 00:14:48.519 --> 00:14:49.779 and turn with me to Isaiah 53. 00:14:58.340 --> 00:14:59.340 Actually, I want to remind you, 00:14:59.759 --> 00:15:02.179 when they would bring the animal, 00:15:02.419 --> 00:15:04.860 the idea was you're taking your iniquity and your sin 00:15:04.860 --> 00:15:06.419 and you're putting it on the scapegoat 00:15:06.419 --> 00:15:08.319 and the scapegoat would go into the wilderness. 00:15:09.059 --> 00:15:12.379 So now we have the same language used in Isaiah 53, 00:15:12.500 --> 00:15:14.919 prophesying of the Messiah who would come. 00:15:14.919 --> 00:15:20.059 Starting in verse 4, we see, 00:15:20.059 --> 00:15:24.099 Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows. 00:15:24.659 --> 00:15:28.019 Yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God and afflicted. 00:15:28.719 --> 00:15:30.759 He was pierced for our transgressions. 00:15:31.079 --> 00:15:32.679 He was crushed for our iniquities. 00:15:33.139 --> 00:15:35.659 Upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace. 00:15:36.119 --> 00:15:37.879 And with his wounds we are healed. 00:15:38.459 --> 00:15:40.239 All we like sheep have gone astray. 00:15:40.779 --> 00:15:43.879 We have turned everyone to his own way. 00:15:43.879 --> 00:15:47.639 And the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. 00:15:48.740 --> 00:15:51.980 So as the goats would bear the sins of the people, 00:15:52.919 --> 00:15:55.120 this servant of the Lord will come one day, 00:15:55.240 --> 00:15:56.399 in this context, 00:15:56.779 --> 00:16:00.600 and bear the weight and iniquities and sins of God's people. 00:16:01.240 --> 00:16:03.399 So the later Jews have this to look forward to. 00:16:03.480 --> 00:16:06.259 They're looking to this blessed king who they can find refuge in. 00:16:06.519 --> 00:16:07.759 And they're looking to this servant 00:16:07.759 --> 00:16:10.620 who would bear the weight of all their sins and iniquities. 00:16:10.620 --> 00:16:12.679 And this bearing, this weight that would be bore, 00:16:13.440 --> 00:16:16.139 would not be a constant sacrifice they'd have to bring. 00:16:16.519 --> 00:16:18.899 It would not be an annual day of atonement 00:16:18.899 --> 00:16:20.220 that they would have to bring two goats, 00:16:20.440 --> 00:16:21.460 one to be killed as a sin offering, 00:16:21.580 --> 00:16:23.179 one to be sent away as a scapegoat. 00:16:23.440 --> 00:16:25.259 This one will do one work 00:16:25.259 --> 00:16:28.720 in which all sin will be forgiven for those who believe. 00:16:30.460 --> 00:16:33.480 So as we read Isaiah 53 and Psalm 32, 00:16:33.620 --> 00:16:35.820 we see a greater and grander picture. 00:16:36.440 --> 00:16:38.879 As they had faith in God's promises to come, 00:16:38.879 --> 00:16:42.340 we have faith in the God-man who came. 00:16:45.539 --> 00:16:47.600 Jesus Christ is the servant of the Lord, 00:16:47.700 --> 00:16:49.139 prophesied in Isaiah 53. 00:16:49.779 --> 00:16:52.299 He is the blessed son of Psalm 2. 00:16:52.740 --> 00:16:55.320 He is the son of Abraham and the son of David, 00:16:55.399 --> 00:16:56.360 of Matthew 1. 00:16:56.860 --> 00:16:59.000 He is the Lamb of God who bore the weight 00:16:59.000 --> 00:17:00.179 of the sins of the world, 00:17:00.439 --> 00:17:04.420 and the Lion of Judah who will make a quick end to his enemies. 00:17:04.839 --> 00:17:06.160 He is the Alpha and the Omega, 00:17:06.720 --> 00:17:07.660 the beginning and the end. 00:17:07.660 --> 00:17:10.080 And it is in him that the Hebrew believers 00:17:10.080 --> 00:17:12.240 and us today place our faith. 00:17:13.060 --> 00:17:15.440 But just like the Hebrew believers of Psalm 32, 00:17:15.880 --> 00:17:16.980 we are in the same boat. 00:17:17.920 --> 00:17:18.820 We have sinned. 00:17:19.519 --> 00:17:20.440 And when we sin, 00:17:20.640 --> 00:17:22.279 we bear the weight of our sin. 00:17:22.900 --> 00:17:24.440 If you are here today 00:17:24.440 --> 00:17:26.480 and you do not believe in Jesus Christ, 00:17:26.880 --> 00:17:29.620 know that you are bearing the weight of your sin. 00:17:29.619 --> 00:17:34.279 There is a record of debt over you for all the wrongs you have committed. 00:17:34.779 --> 00:17:40.299 Good works and happy attitude and forgetfulness will not save you. 00:17:41.119 --> 00:17:42.259 Romans 6.23 says, 00:17:42.259 --> 00:17:45.119 For the wages of sin is death. 00:17:45.839 --> 00:17:48.000 This death is not just an end of life, 00:17:48.000 --> 00:17:50.940 but an everlasting pain and suffering in hell. 00:17:52.220 --> 00:17:52.619 Therefore, 00:17:53.259 --> 00:17:55.980 as the Hebrews would look to the royal son and serve the Lord, 00:17:56.420 --> 00:17:56.839 today, 00:17:57.400 --> 00:17:58.619 while you can look, 00:17:58.940 --> 00:18:00.180 look to Jesus Christ. 00:18:01.240 --> 00:18:02.359 Romans 5.8 says, 00:18:02.359 --> 00:18:03.639 God shows his love for us 00:18:03.639 --> 00:18:04.699 and that while we're sinned, 00:18:05.019 --> 00:18:06.439 Christ died for us. 00:18:07.059 --> 00:18:08.479 Christ has taken every sin, 00:18:09.019 --> 00:18:10.359 every treacherous trespass, 00:18:11.599 --> 00:18:12.699 the load of iniquity, 00:18:12.859 --> 00:18:14.119 which we should be bearing, 00:18:14.459 --> 00:18:17.779 and bore it before the wrath of God. 00:18:18.819 --> 00:18:20.619 He is the high priest and the scapegoat, 00:18:20.959 --> 00:18:21.679 the Lamb of God, 00:18:21.759 --> 00:18:22.879 who took away our sins. 00:18:23.719 --> 00:18:24.000 Therefore, 00:18:24.119 --> 00:18:24.519 today, 00:18:24.959 --> 00:18:25.859 turn from your sins 00:18:25.859 --> 00:18:27.279 and believe in Jesus Christ. 00:18:27.879 --> 00:18:29.079 Romans 6.23 says 00:18:29.079 --> 00:18:31.939 that the gift of God is eternal life. 00:18:32.119 --> 00:18:34.220 For those who have been saved and forgiven, 00:18:34.699 --> 00:18:36.099 there is something that awaits them, 00:18:36.199 --> 00:18:36.859 something beautiful, 00:18:37.079 --> 00:18:37.859 something wonderful, 00:18:38.299 --> 00:18:39.519 an eternal inheritance 00:18:39.519 --> 00:18:41.619 of everlasting joy 00:18:41.619 --> 00:18:44.139 awaits those who have been forgiven, 00:18:44.439 --> 00:18:46.000 those who find refuge 00:18:46.000 --> 00:18:47.299 in the Messianic King. 00:18:48.559 --> 00:18:50.299 Turn back with me to Psalm 32, please. 00:18:59.079 --> 00:19:10.079 Great. 00:19:10.159 --> 00:19:11.480 Let's read verses 1 and 2 together. 00:19:12.619 --> 00:19:13.639 A masculine of David, 00:19:14.339 --> 00:19:15.099 blessed is the one 00:19:15.099 --> 00:19:16.839 whose transgression is forgiven, 00:19:17.339 --> 00:19:18.619 whose sin is covered. 00:19:19.439 --> 00:19:21.319 Blessed is the man 00:19:21.319 --> 00:19:23.879 against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, 00:19:24.299 --> 00:19:26.960 and whose spirit there is no deceit. 00:19:26.960 --> 00:19:30.579 So in Psalm 1 and 2, 00:19:30.740 --> 00:19:32.279 we see this blessed man is blessed 00:19:32.279 --> 00:19:34.100 because they have no transgressions 00:19:34.100 --> 00:19:35.680 held against them. 00:19:36.500 --> 00:19:38.200 Their transgressions have been cast 00:19:38.200 --> 00:19:39.380 as far as the east is 00:19:39.380 --> 00:19:40.759 from the west 00:19:40.759 --> 00:19:42.559 and is no more. 00:19:43.079 --> 00:19:44.340 They've been cast away and are gone. 00:19:45.039 --> 00:19:46.380 This verse goes on to explain 00:19:46.380 --> 00:19:47.279 two other ways 00:19:47.279 --> 00:19:48.880 in which our sin has been dealt with. 00:19:49.440 --> 00:19:49.980 In verse 1, 00:19:50.039 --> 00:19:52.019 we see that our sin has been covered. 00:19:52.819 --> 00:19:55.660 Sin brings shame and exposes us. 00:19:55.660 --> 00:19:57.860 Jesus has bore our sin 00:19:57.860 --> 00:19:58.880 and he has covered it 00:19:58.880 --> 00:19:59.840 through his sacrifice. 00:20:00.620 --> 00:20:02.000 Here, the person is blessed 00:20:02.000 --> 00:20:02.920 because their sin 00:20:02.920 --> 00:20:04.180 is covered in Christ. 00:20:05.880 --> 00:20:07.300 The third way we see 00:20:07.300 --> 00:20:08.840 that sin is discussed 00:20:08.840 --> 00:20:09.940 is that the blessed man 00:20:09.940 --> 00:20:11.380 will have no iniquity 00:20:11.380 --> 00:20:13.519 accounted against him. 00:20:13.940 --> 00:20:14.940 This word, 00:20:15.320 --> 00:20:16.600 iniquity accounted against him, 00:20:16.620 --> 00:20:17.460 is an accounting term. 00:20:17.700 --> 00:20:19.560 As if you're taking an account 00:20:19.560 --> 00:20:21.120 for everything that's ever happened. 00:20:21.400 --> 00:20:22.440 So all the sins 00:20:22.440 --> 00:20:23.759 that you've once done 00:20:23.759 --> 00:20:25.879 no longer is accounted against you 00:20:25.879 --> 00:20:27.480 if you find refuge 00:20:27.480 --> 00:20:28.079 in the Son 00:20:28.079 --> 00:20:29.180 and in Christ Jesus. 00:20:30.299 --> 00:20:31.779 The record of debt is gone. 00:20:33.720 --> 00:20:34.920 So now let's go back 00:20:34.920 --> 00:20:35.859 to the word blessed. 00:20:36.700 --> 00:20:38.859 So in the Hebrew scriptures, 00:20:39.339 --> 00:20:40.039 the word blessing 00:20:40.039 --> 00:20:41.859 is used an abundant amount of times. 00:20:42.700 --> 00:20:44.240 Genesis is used 76 times. 00:20:44.859 --> 00:20:45.339 In Deuteronomy, 00:20:45.420 --> 00:20:46.480 it's used 40 times. 00:20:46.720 --> 00:20:47.420 In the Psalms, 00:20:47.480 --> 00:20:48.779 it's used 76 times. 00:20:48.779 --> 00:20:50.119 The first word 00:20:50.119 --> 00:20:51.500 is in the idea of giving 00:20:51.500 --> 00:20:52.940 and receiving blessing. 00:20:53.460 --> 00:20:54.639 And the second word 00:20:54.639 --> 00:20:55.399 is usually used 00:20:55.399 --> 00:20:56.960 in the state of being blessed. 00:20:57.319 --> 00:20:58.279 It's a state of receiving 00:20:58.279 --> 00:20:59.039 this blessing 00:20:59.039 --> 00:21:00.879 and being blessed. 00:21:01.379 --> 00:21:02.779 The word is also translated 00:21:02.779 --> 00:21:03.839 to mean happiness. 00:21:04.859 --> 00:21:06.059 So this person 00:21:06.059 --> 00:21:07.139 who has been saved 00:21:07.139 --> 00:21:08.619 by the gospel of Jesus Christ 00:21:08.619 --> 00:21:10.099 and does not bear 00:21:10.099 --> 00:21:10.940 the weight of sin 00:21:10.940 --> 00:21:12.079 should be 00:21:12.079 --> 00:21:13.639 the happiest person alive. 00:21:14.279 --> 00:21:15.139 They have nothing 00:21:15.139 --> 00:21:16.200 to worry about 00:21:16.200 --> 00:21:17.259 in their eternal destiny 00:21:17.259 --> 00:21:18.200 because God has covered 00:21:18.200 --> 00:21:19.039 their sin for them. 00:21:19.379 --> 00:21:20.640 Their iniquities have been bore 00:21:20.640 --> 00:21:21.779 and their transgression 00:21:21.779 --> 00:21:22.819 is no more. 00:21:23.779 --> 00:21:24.339 So therefore, 00:21:24.980 --> 00:21:27.039 we should rejoice today 00:21:27.039 --> 00:21:28.539 in our Lord Jesus Christ 00:21:28.539 --> 00:21:29.759 in his life, death, 00:21:29.799 --> 00:21:30.279 and resurrection 00:21:30.279 --> 00:21:31.299 because truly, 00:21:31.740 --> 00:21:32.779 as saints of Christ, 00:21:32.960 --> 00:21:34.579 we are in a happy place. 00:21:34.799 --> 00:21:35.859 We have a happy state. 00:21:37.140 --> 00:21:37.660 Point number two, 00:21:38.799 --> 00:21:39.819 the divine blessings 00:21:39.819 --> 00:21:42.160 of the forgiven. 00:21:43.859 --> 00:21:45.180 As we move on 00:21:45.180 --> 00:21:46.140 to verses three and four, 00:21:46.140 --> 00:21:48.220 we'll see the divine blessings 00:21:48.220 --> 00:21:49.240 David has experienced 00:21:49.240 --> 00:21:49.880 from God. 00:21:50.259 --> 00:21:51.160 The first blessing 00:21:51.160 --> 00:21:52.320 we see in Psalm 32 00:21:52.320 --> 00:21:53.300 is the blessing 00:21:53.300 --> 00:21:54.360 of divine forgiveness. 00:21:55.680 --> 00:21:57.460 Verses three through four say, 00:21:58.560 --> 00:22:00.620 For when I kept silent, 00:22:00.700 --> 00:22:02.000 my bones wasted away 00:22:02.000 --> 00:22:03.440 through my groaning 00:22:03.440 --> 00:22:05.160 all day long. 00:22:05.680 --> 00:22:06.520 For day and night 00:22:06.520 --> 00:22:08.940 your hand was heavy upon me. 00:22:09.420 --> 00:22:10.840 My strength was dried up 00:22:10.840 --> 00:22:12.860 as by the heat of summer. 00:22:13.280 --> 00:22:13.700 Say law. 00:22:13.700 --> 00:22:16.860 Prior to repenting of sin, 00:22:17.299 --> 00:22:18.340 sin weighed him down. 00:22:18.759 --> 00:22:19.980 David felt the weight 00:22:19.980 --> 00:22:20.600 of his conviction 00:22:20.600 --> 00:22:22.960 and he describes this weight 00:22:22.960 --> 00:22:25.259 as his bones wasting away. 00:22:25.840 --> 00:22:27.380 He describes this as groaning 00:22:27.380 --> 00:22:28.779 all the day long. 00:22:29.220 --> 00:22:30.240 His condition is that 00:22:30.240 --> 00:22:31.900 he is grieved deeply 00:22:31.900 --> 00:22:34.019 and miserable over sin. 00:22:34.019 --> 00:22:35.299 Therefore, 00:22:35.960 --> 00:22:36.700 does David 00:22:36.700 --> 00:22:38.599 just stop thinking about it? 00:22:38.660 --> 00:22:39.019 Does he, 00:22:39.019 --> 00:22:39.579 does he, 00:22:39.819 --> 00:22:40.200 in a sense, 00:22:40.359 --> 00:22:41.480 just not tell anybody? 00:22:42.299 --> 00:22:42.539 That, 00:22:42.599 --> 00:22:43.639 that's not what brought him 00:22:43.639 --> 00:22:44.480 healing in this text. 00:22:44.539 --> 00:22:45.400 What brought him healing 00:22:45.400 --> 00:22:46.259 is verses, 00:22:46.579 --> 00:22:47.420 verse five. 00:22:48.180 --> 00:22:49.539 I acknowledge my sin to you 00:22:49.539 --> 00:22:50.599 and I did not cover 00:22:50.599 --> 00:22:51.420 my iniquity. 00:22:51.940 --> 00:22:52.480 I said, 00:22:52.539 --> 00:22:53.839 I'll confess my transgression 00:22:53.839 --> 00:22:54.500 to the Lord 00:22:54.500 --> 00:22:55.639 and he forgave 00:22:55.639 --> 00:22:56.779 the iniquity of my sin. 00:22:57.339 --> 00:22:57.799 Say law. 00:22:59.039 --> 00:22:59.940 For the believer, 00:23:00.139 --> 00:23:01.660 we have this beautiful truth 00:23:01.660 --> 00:23:03.540 that should cause our hearts 00:23:03.540 --> 00:23:04.360 to leap with joy. 00:23:05.000 --> 00:23:05.900 Should cause the spring 00:23:05.900 --> 00:23:06.480 of gladness 00:23:06.480 --> 00:23:07.180 when we think 00:23:07.180 --> 00:23:08.519 that the sin 00:23:08.519 --> 00:23:09.480 that we committed yesterday, 00:23:10.019 --> 00:23:10.960 maybe the sin you committed 00:23:10.960 --> 00:23:11.740 this morning, 00:23:12.400 --> 00:23:13.720 if you seek forgiveness from, 00:23:13.920 --> 00:23:14.660 has been forgiven. 00:23:15.220 --> 00:23:15.820 And you do not have 00:23:15.820 --> 00:23:16.660 to be miserable over it. 00:23:16.660 --> 00:23:17.080 You do not have to be 00:23:17.080 --> 00:23:18.440 in shame over this sin 00:23:18.440 --> 00:23:20.240 because Jesus has covered it 00:23:20.240 --> 00:23:21.040 for you. 00:23:21.720 --> 00:23:22.160 But, 00:23:22.320 --> 00:23:23.420 the opposite truth 00:23:23.420 --> 00:23:24.160 is still there. 00:23:24.380 --> 00:23:25.700 If you do not believe 00:23:25.700 --> 00:23:26.060 in Jesus, 00:23:26.160 --> 00:23:26.900 you do not know Jesus, 00:23:27.100 --> 00:23:27.980 this weight of sin 00:23:27.980 --> 00:23:29.000 is still upon you 00:23:29.000 --> 00:23:30.259 and you will be held 00:23:30.259 --> 00:23:31.259 accountable for it. 00:23:32.660 --> 00:23:35.040 We see that this blessing 00:23:35.040 --> 00:23:36.060 is followed up by a command 00:23:36.060 --> 00:23:37.380 in Psalm 32, 6. 00:23:38.180 --> 00:23:38.519 It says, 00:23:38.960 --> 00:23:38.940 Therefore, 00:23:39.519 --> 00:23:40.980 let everyone who is godly 00:23:40.980 --> 00:23:42.040 offer prayer to you 00:23:42.040 --> 00:23:42.620 at a time 00:23:42.620 --> 00:23:43.740 when you may be found. 00:23:44.360 --> 00:23:44.660 Surely, 00:23:44.880 --> 00:23:46.019 in the rush of great waters, 00:23:46.440 --> 00:23:47.700 they shall not reach him. 00:23:49.019 --> 00:23:50.259 The command is following 00:23:50.259 --> 00:23:51.240 the confession of David 00:23:51.240 --> 00:23:52.080 and then beseeching 00:23:52.080 --> 00:23:53.060 the audience of the song. 00:23:53.180 --> 00:23:53.600 It's saying, 00:23:54.140 --> 00:23:54.840 Brothers and sisters, 00:23:55.160 --> 00:23:56.240 do not conceal 00:23:56.240 --> 00:23:57.279 your iniquity. 00:23:57.580 --> 00:23:58.560 Do not cover up your sin. 00:23:58.620 --> 00:23:59.800 Do not forget about it, 00:24:00.040 --> 00:24:01.120 but bring it to the Lord 00:24:01.119 --> 00:24:02.079 in prayer. 00:24:02.639 --> 00:24:03.339 And if you're here 00:24:03.339 --> 00:24:03.899 struggling today 00:24:03.899 --> 00:24:05.019 with sin and shame, 00:24:05.399 --> 00:24:05.919 bring the Lord in prayer 00:24:05.919 --> 00:24:06.879 and grab a brother 00:24:06.879 --> 00:24:07.559 and a sister 00:24:07.559 --> 00:24:09.059 and ask them to help you 00:24:09.059 --> 00:24:09.979 wrestle through 00:24:09.979 --> 00:24:11.579 the struggle together. 00:24:12.619 --> 00:24:14.159 But look at the statements 00:24:14.159 --> 00:24:14.839 used in this text. 00:24:15.059 --> 00:24:16.539 It helps us understand it better. 00:24:17.059 --> 00:24:17.500 It says, 00:24:18.059 --> 00:24:19.479 Let everyone who is godly 00:24:19.479 --> 00:24:20.359 offer prayer. 00:24:20.359 --> 00:24:20.839 So, 00:24:20.839 --> 00:24:22.039 the godly in this text 00:24:22.039 --> 00:24:23.159 offer prayer to God, 00:24:23.419 --> 00:24:24.759 but it's also a command 00:24:24.759 --> 00:24:25.479 to unbelievers 00:24:25.479 --> 00:24:27.179 that they have an opportunity 00:24:27.179 --> 00:24:28.479 to offer prayer to God. 00:24:28.619 --> 00:24:29.599 They have an opportunity 00:24:29.599 --> 00:24:30.759 to repent of their sins 00:24:30.759 --> 00:24:31.259 now 00:24:31.259 --> 00:24:32.659 as it is today. 00:24:33.059 --> 00:24:34.619 And look at the imagery here. 00:24:34.819 --> 00:24:35.740 The command has a clear 00:24:35.740 --> 00:24:36.439 picture to it. 00:24:37.000 --> 00:24:37.659 The reference says, 00:24:37.919 --> 00:24:38.259 Seek him 00:24:38.259 --> 00:24:39.479 while he may be found. 00:24:40.039 --> 00:24:40.979 Into many waters 00:24:40.979 --> 00:24:42.339 is a clear reference 00:24:42.339 --> 00:24:43.079 to the flood. 00:24:43.879 --> 00:24:44.799 And what happened 00:24:44.799 --> 00:24:45.319 in the flood? 00:24:45.919 --> 00:24:47.519 God was going to judge sin. 00:24:48.159 --> 00:24:49.460 And he gave his promises 00:24:49.460 --> 00:24:49.859 to Noah 00:24:49.859 --> 00:24:50.700 to build the ark. 00:24:51.159 --> 00:24:52.480 And those who entered the ark 00:24:52.480 --> 00:24:53.519 were saved 00:24:53.519 --> 00:24:54.419 from their sin. 00:24:55.159 --> 00:24:55.839 And saved 00:24:55.839 --> 00:24:57.319 from the wrath of God. 00:24:57.579 --> 00:24:58.439 And those who were not 00:24:58.439 --> 00:24:59.000 in the ark, 00:24:59.519 --> 00:25:00.220 the wrath of God 00:25:00.220 --> 00:25:01.019 was poured out 00:25:01.019 --> 00:25:02.259 and the waters crushed 00:25:02.259 --> 00:25:03.259 the people. 00:25:04.359 --> 00:25:05.220 So here we see 00:25:05.220 --> 00:25:05.919 this clear picture 00:25:05.919 --> 00:25:06.899 that God hates sin 00:25:06.899 --> 00:25:08.059 and he will punish it. 00:25:08.899 --> 00:25:09.599 This command 00:25:09.599 --> 00:25:11.000 to seek God in prayer 00:25:11.000 --> 00:25:12.139 is an invitation 00:25:12.139 --> 00:25:12.839 to sinners 00:25:12.839 --> 00:25:14.179 to get on the ark 00:25:14.179 --> 00:25:14.839 while they can. 00:25:15.319 --> 00:25:16.639 To get in the ark 00:25:16.639 --> 00:25:17.740 before the doors 00:25:17.740 --> 00:25:18.779 are closed 00:25:18.779 --> 00:25:19.919 and the floodwaters 00:25:19.919 --> 00:25:21.059 come pouring down. 00:25:22.119 --> 00:25:22.399 Therefore, 00:25:22.559 --> 00:25:23.240 the application 00:25:23.240 --> 00:25:24.159 is very clear. 00:25:24.619 --> 00:25:25.359 If you are not 00:25:25.359 --> 00:25:26.200 a follower of Christ, 00:25:26.879 --> 00:25:27.720 now is your chance 00:25:27.720 --> 00:25:28.359 to become one. 00:25:28.859 --> 00:25:29.879 Now is your chance 00:25:29.879 --> 00:25:30.960 to get on the ark 00:25:30.960 --> 00:25:31.839 by the blood 00:25:31.839 --> 00:25:32.819 of Jesus Christ 00:25:32.819 --> 00:25:33.980 and save yourselves. 00:25:35.460 --> 00:25:36.419 The next blessing 00:25:36.419 --> 00:25:36.859 we see, 00:25:37.279 --> 00:25:37.960 second blessing 00:25:37.960 --> 00:25:38.659 of Psalm 32 00:25:38.659 --> 00:25:39.799 is the blessing 00:25:39.799 --> 00:25:41.159 of divine protection. 00:25:42.740 --> 00:25:44.139 Psalm 32, 7 00:25:44.139 --> 00:25:44.639 says, 00:25:45.319 --> 00:25:46.759 You are a hiding place 00:25:46.759 --> 00:25:47.220 for me. 00:25:47.639 --> 00:25:48.579 You preserve me 00:25:48.579 --> 00:25:49.119 from trouble. 00:25:49.119 --> 00:25:50.559 You surround me 00:25:50.559 --> 00:25:51.319 with shouts 00:25:51.319 --> 00:25:52.299 of deliverance. 00:25:53.059 --> 00:25:53.559 Selah. 00:25:54.939 --> 00:25:55.619 The godly did not 00:25:55.619 --> 00:25:56.460 just receive 00:25:56.460 --> 00:25:56.859 the forgiveness 00:25:56.859 --> 00:26:00.159 of sins, 00:26:00.460 --> 00:26:01.659 but the protection 00:26:01.659 --> 00:26:02.720 from God. 00:26:03.359 --> 00:26:04.039 The refuge 00:26:04.039 --> 00:26:05.379 of the messianic king 00:26:05.379 --> 00:26:06.659 is not a shack 00:26:06.659 --> 00:26:07.519 on the side of the road, 00:26:07.720 --> 00:26:08.919 but an impregnable 00:26:08.919 --> 00:26:09.779 fortress. 00:26:09.779 --> 00:26:12.099 As Francis made clear 00:26:12.099 --> 00:26:12.720 last week, 00:26:12.799 --> 00:26:13.379 our security 00:26:13.379 --> 00:26:13.960 on this earth 00:26:13.960 --> 00:26:14.680 is not from 00:26:14.680 --> 00:26:15.379 our vocation, 00:26:15.720 --> 00:26:16.519 our riches, 00:26:16.920 --> 00:26:17.839 our possessions, 00:26:17.839 --> 00:26:19.399 or what we do, 00:26:19.740 --> 00:26:20.819 but it's from God 00:26:20.819 --> 00:26:21.399 and his gifts 00:26:21.399 --> 00:26:22.160 to us. 00:26:23.519 --> 00:26:24.440 God is the one 00:26:24.440 --> 00:26:25.599 who is the Jehovah-Jireh. 00:26:26.059 --> 00:26:26.779 He is the one 00:26:26.779 --> 00:26:27.579 who has purposely 00:26:27.579 --> 00:26:29.039 provided for all 00:26:29.039 --> 00:26:29.559 our needs. 00:26:30.359 --> 00:26:31.160 So when things 00:26:31.160 --> 00:26:31.799 get hard, 00:26:32.059 --> 00:26:32.960 we do not have 00:26:32.960 --> 00:26:33.839 to be afraid 00:26:33.839 --> 00:26:34.940 of the trials 00:26:34.940 --> 00:26:35.500 that come our way, 00:26:35.720 --> 00:26:36.240 but we, 00:26:36.480 --> 00:26:37.200 like Habakkuk, 00:26:37.200 --> 00:26:38.620 could come to the Lord. 00:26:39.080 --> 00:26:40.180 Habakkuk 3 says, 00:26:40.920 --> 00:26:41.799 Though the fig tree 00:26:41.799 --> 00:26:42.580 should not blossom, 00:26:43.220 --> 00:26:43.920 nor the fruit 00:26:43.920 --> 00:26:44.779 be on the vines, 00:26:45.380 --> 00:26:46.039 the produce 00:26:46.039 --> 00:26:47.259 of the olive fail, 00:26:47.700 --> 00:26:48.360 and the fields 00:26:48.360 --> 00:26:49.140 yield no fruit. 00:26:49.660 --> 00:26:50.319 The flock 00:26:50.319 --> 00:26:50.980 shall be cut off 00:26:50.980 --> 00:26:51.620 from the fold, 00:26:52.160 --> 00:26:53.259 and there be no herds 00:26:53.259 --> 00:26:53.799 in the stall. 00:26:54.559 --> 00:26:55.720 Yet I will rejoice 00:26:55.720 --> 00:26:56.580 in the Lord. 00:26:57.059 --> 00:26:57.960 So his rejoicing 00:26:57.960 --> 00:26:59.660 is in all my possessions. 00:27:00.340 --> 00:27:01.279 The food I'm growing, 00:27:01.460 --> 00:27:02.100 the animals I have 00:27:02.100 --> 00:27:02.559 for security, 00:27:02.680 --> 00:27:03.840 everything is gone. 00:27:03.920 --> 00:27:04.720 I have no security. 00:27:04.799 --> 00:27:05.500 I'm wide open, 00:27:05.819 --> 00:27:06.360 and the only thing 00:27:06.360 --> 00:27:07.000 I have right now, 00:27:07.000 --> 00:27:07.259 the Lord, 00:27:07.380 --> 00:27:09.180 is to trust in you. 00:27:09.980 --> 00:27:10.720 And listen to the rest 00:27:10.720 --> 00:27:11.240 of the verse. 00:27:11.720 --> 00:27:12.640 I will take joy 00:27:12.640 --> 00:27:13.299 in God 00:27:13.299 --> 00:27:14.240 of my salvation. 00:27:14.480 --> 00:27:14.940 God, 00:27:15.259 --> 00:27:15.920 the Lord, 00:27:16.079 --> 00:27:16.980 is my strength. 00:27:17.599 --> 00:27:18.480 He makes my feet 00:27:18.480 --> 00:27:19.259 like the deers. 00:27:19.640 --> 00:27:20.339 He makes me 00:27:20.339 --> 00:27:21.559 tread on the high places. 00:27:22.819 --> 00:27:23.640 So we see 00:27:23.640 --> 00:27:24.240 that the blessings 00:27:24.240 --> 00:27:24.880 that we receive 00:27:24.880 --> 00:27:25.480 from God 00:27:25.480 --> 00:27:26.700 are his divine forgiveness, 00:27:27.339 --> 00:27:28.220 his divine protection. 00:27:28.680 --> 00:27:29.500 The third blessing 00:27:29.500 --> 00:27:31.380 is his divine direction. 00:27:32.440 --> 00:27:32.980 In verse 8, 00:27:33.420 --> 00:27:34.180 God now takes 00:27:34.180 --> 00:27:34.900 the pen from David 00:27:34.900 --> 00:27:36.160 and shares his instruction. 00:27:36.160 --> 00:27:37.340 It says, 00:27:37.880 --> 00:27:38.960 I will instruct you 00:27:38.960 --> 00:27:39.759 and teach you 00:27:39.759 --> 00:27:41.000 in the way you should go. 00:27:41.540 --> 00:27:42.700 I will counsel you 00:27:42.700 --> 00:27:44.540 with my eye upon you. 00:27:45.860 --> 00:27:47.440 There are only two ways 00:27:47.440 --> 00:27:48.040 one can go, 00:27:48.519 --> 00:27:49.019 as we've seen 00:27:49.019 --> 00:27:49.860 from Psalm 1 and 2. 00:27:50.420 --> 00:27:51.340 There is the way 00:27:51.340 --> 00:27:52.340 of the wicked, 00:27:52.880 --> 00:27:53.480 and there is the way 00:27:53.480 --> 00:27:53.900 of the righteous. 00:27:54.440 --> 00:27:56.400 Let us take the instruction 00:27:56.400 --> 00:27:57.259 and follow the way 00:27:57.259 --> 00:27:58.060 of the blessed son 00:27:58.060 --> 00:27:58.640 of Psalm 2 00:27:58.640 --> 00:28:00.440 and find refuge in him 00:28:00.440 --> 00:28:01.840 and learn from him. 00:28:01.839 --> 00:28:04.339 Let us follow the way 00:28:04.339 --> 00:28:05.179 and let us be those 00:28:05.179 --> 00:28:05.720 who are forgiven 00:28:05.720 --> 00:28:06.720 and meditate on the Lord 00:28:06.720 --> 00:28:07.379 day and night. 00:28:07.779 --> 00:28:08.879 Those who know 00:28:08.879 --> 00:28:10.019 and have experienced 00:28:10.019 --> 00:28:11.099 the living God. 00:28:12.159 --> 00:28:12.839 The divine blessing 00:28:12.839 --> 00:28:13.439 of Psalm 32 00:28:13.439 --> 00:28:14.500 finishes with a lesson. 00:28:14.720 --> 00:28:16.659 So we talked about 00:28:16.659 --> 00:28:17.439 the happy state 00:28:17.439 --> 00:28:17.959 of the forgiven, 00:28:18.359 --> 00:28:19.339 the blessings of the forgiven, 00:28:19.519 --> 00:28:20.619 and now we're at point 3. 00:28:21.059 --> 00:28:22.159 Do not be a mule. 00:28:22.819 --> 00:28:23.359 Seek God. 00:28:23.359 --> 00:28:26.399 The command of verse 9 00:28:26.399 --> 00:28:27.439 is a negative way 00:28:27.439 --> 00:28:28.539 of saying the command 00:28:28.539 --> 00:28:29.359 of verse 6. 00:28:30.279 --> 00:28:30.819 The first command 00:28:30.819 --> 00:28:31.559 possibly commanded 00:28:31.559 --> 00:28:32.000 the people 00:28:32.000 --> 00:28:33.240 to seek God in prayer. 00:28:34.039 --> 00:28:34.979 Verse 9 says, 00:28:35.759 --> 00:28:37.039 Be not like a horse 00:28:37.039 --> 00:28:37.559 or a mule 00:28:37.559 --> 00:28:38.419 without understanding, 00:28:38.899 --> 00:28:40.019 which must be curbed 00:28:40.019 --> 00:28:41.559 with bit and bridle, 00:28:41.740 --> 00:28:42.559 bit and bridle, 00:28:42.979 --> 00:28:44.879 or it will not stay near you. 00:28:45.839 --> 00:28:46.659 Here are the pictures 00:28:46.659 --> 00:28:47.339 of a farm. 00:28:47.619 --> 00:28:48.240 You have the animals 00:28:48.240 --> 00:28:49.319 that the farm person 00:28:49.319 --> 00:28:50.359 would come and call, 00:28:50.779 --> 00:28:51.659 and they would come 00:28:51.659 --> 00:28:52.919 and come to the farm 00:28:52.920 --> 00:28:54.000 be put in. 00:28:54.380 --> 00:28:55.400 But there's the one 00:28:55.400 --> 00:28:56.060 or two animals 00:28:56.060 --> 00:28:56.820 that don't come 00:28:56.820 --> 00:28:57.380 when they're called. 00:28:58.000 --> 00:28:58.860 We see the horse 00:28:58.860 --> 00:28:59.320 and the mule 00:28:59.320 --> 00:29:00.259 as the example here. 00:29:00.740 --> 00:29:01.820 And instead of them 00:29:01.820 --> 00:29:02.940 being called and coming, 00:29:03.360 --> 00:29:04.259 the person goes 00:29:04.259 --> 00:29:05.080 and puts a bit 00:29:05.080 --> 00:29:05.600 in his mouth 00:29:05.600 --> 00:29:06.800 and has to drag him 00:29:06.800 --> 00:29:07.940 or get him over 00:29:07.940 --> 00:29:09.100 to the farm 00:29:09.100 --> 00:29:10.259 to get him in there. 00:29:10.539 --> 00:29:11.820 And what it's saying is, 00:29:12.140 --> 00:29:13.259 don't be like the donkey. 00:29:13.940 --> 00:29:14.900 Don't be foolish. 00:29:15.259 --> 00:29:16.340 But seek God now 00:29:16.340 --> 00:29:17.100 while he is found. 00:29:17.460 --> 00:29:19.060 Seek him in prayer. 00:29:20.100 --> 00:29:21.240 Be like the sheep 00:29:21.240 --> 00:29:22.320 who listen to the voice 00:29:22.319 --> 00:29:23.079 of the good shepherd 00:29:23.079 --> 00:29:24.759 who seeks to lead 00:29:24.759 --> 00:29:25.259 his people 00:29:25.259 --> 00:29:26.220 by still waters. 00:29:26.960 --> 00:29:27.939 Do not remain 00:29:27.939 --> 00:29:29.359 in the valley of death. 00:29:30.259 --> 00:29:31.919 Do not let sin consume you, 00:29:32.359 --> 00:29:33.740 but seek the living God 00:29:33.740 --> 00:29:34.960 while he is found. 00:29:35.740 --> 00:29:37.519 He is a good shepherd 00:29:37.519 --> 00:29:38.139 and king 00:29:38.139 --> 00:29:39.299 who is kind 00:29:39.299 --> 00:29:41.980 and will lead our souls 00:29:41.980 --> 00:29:42.879 to still waters. 00:29:43.599 --> 00:29:44.419 Truly in Jesus, 00:29:45.099 --> 00:29:45.899 there is rest 00:29:45.899 --> 00:29:47.159 for the forgiven. 00:29:47.160 --> 00:29:49.900 So, point three, 00:29:50.000 --> 00:29:50.560 do not be a meal. 00:29:50.680 --> 00:29:51.540 Finally, point four, 00:29:51.680 --> 00:29:52.540 sorrow for the wicked 00:29:52.540 --> 00:29:53.640 and joy for the righteous. 00:29:55.259 --> 00:29:56.860 As David finishes sharing 00:29:56.860 --> 00:29:57.540 the blessings 00:29:57.540 --> 00:29:58.420 and the lesson, 00:29:58.860 --> 00:29:59.560 he summarizes 00:29:59.560 --> 00:30:00.759 the result of their lives. 00:30:01.600 --> 00:30:02.680 Verses 10 and 11 say, 00:30:03.680 --> 00:30:05.100 Many are the sorrows 00:30:05.100 --> 00:30:05.740 of the wicked, 00:30:06.100 --> 00:30:07.400 but steadfast love 00:30:07.400 --> 00:30:08.240 surrounds the one 00:30:08.240 --> 00:30:09.540 who trusts in the Lord. 00:30:10.060 --> 00:30:11.460 Be glad in the Lord 00:30:11.460 --> 00:30:12.160 and rejoice, 00:30:12.580 --> 00:30:13.040 O righteous, 00:30:13.400 --> 00:30:14.580 and shout for joy, 00:30:14.579 --> 00:30:15.379 all you, 00:30:15.639 --> 00:30:16.579 upright in heart. 00:30:18.859 --> 00:30:20.419 Those who do not turn to God 00:30:20.419 --> 00:30:21.439 and remain in their sin 00:30:21.439 --> 00:30:22.939 will continue to follow 00:30:22.939 --> 00:30:23.740 the way of the wicked. 00:30:24.699 --> 00:30:26.419 They will remain meal-like 00:30:26.419 --> 00:30:27.199 and they will receive 00:30:27.199 --> 00:30:27.899 great sorrow. 00:30:28.379 --> 00:30:29.699 And this sorrow is so great 00:30:29.699 --> 00:30:30.939 that it's not momentary, 00:30:31.000 --> 00:30:32.659 it's an everlasting sorrow. 00:30:33.199 --> 00:30:34.619 The result of the wicked 00:30:34.619 --> 00:30:36.339 is that they will experience 00:30:36.339 --> 00:30:37.279 the wrath of God 00:30:37.279 --> 00:30:38.740 and they will be crushed 00:30:38.740 --> 00:30:39.980 on the day of judgment. 00:30:40.980 --> 00:30:42.500 The righteous are not so. 00:30:42.899 --> 00:30:44.019 The righteous have received 00:30:44.019 --> 00:30:44.839 divine forgiveness, 00:30:45.519 --> 00:30:46.359 divine protection, 00:30:46.879 --> 00:30:48.319 and divine direction. 00:30:49.059 --> 00:30:49.779 They have been forgiven 00:30:49.779 --> 00:30:50.879 and will not be condemned 00:30:50.879 --> 00:30:51.980 for their trespasses. 00:30:53.079 --> 00:30:53.980 They have been, 00:30:54.240 --> 00:30:55.139 and because of that, 00:30:55.259 --> 00:30:56.240 their transgressions, 00:30:56.359 --> 00:30:56.740 their sins, 00:30:56.799 --> 00:30:57.240 their iniquities 00:30:57.240 --> 00:30:58.299 are no more. 00:30:59.019 --> 00:30:59.879 According to verse 10, 00:31:00.160 --> 00:31:00.900 they are surrounded 00:31:00.900 --> 00:31:02.099 with steadfast love. 00:31:02.859 --> 00:31:04.039 They have placed their faith 00:31:04.039 --> 00:31:05.039 in the sin-bearing 00:31:05.039 --> 00:31:06.220 servant king of God 00:31:06.220 --> 00:31:08.139 and they will find 00:31:08.139 --> 00:31:08.960 refuge in him. 00:31:10.099 --> 00:31:10.900 In conclusion, 00:31:10.900 --> 00:31:11.000 Christian, 00:31:11.519 --> 00:31:13.620 we have so much 00:31:13.620 --> 00:31:14.420 to rejoice in. 00:31:15.019 --> 00:31:15.759 Christians should be 00:31:15.759 --> 00:31:17.540 the happiest of people. 00:31:18.340 --> 00:31:19.420 We have so many reasons 00:31:19.420 --> 00:31:20.880 for joy that we have 00:31:20.880 --> 00:31:21.880 God's divine forgiveness, 00:31:22.080 --> 00:31:22.780 divine protection, 00:31:22.940 --> 00:31:23.980 divine direction 00:31:23.980 --> 00:31:24.720 in our lives. 00:31:25.680 --> 00:31:26.600 Not only have we placed 00:31:26.600 --> 00:31:27.420 our faith in the Lamb, 00:31:27.500 --> 00:31:28.000 Jesus Christ, 00:31:28.000 --> 00:31:29.240 in the Jesus Christ, 00:31:29.420 --> 00:31:30.140 the Lamb of God, 00:31:30.240 --> 00:31:31.120 and the resurrected king, 00:31:31.500 --> 00:31:32.880 but we are now co-heirs 00:31:32.880 --> 00:31:33.940 with Jesus 00:31:33.940 --> 00:31:35.380 and we'll receive 00:31:35.380 --> 00:31:37.880 a heavenly inheritance 00:31:37.880 --> 00:31:39.180 and we will be 00:31:39.180 --> 00:31:40.620 welcomed into heaven 00:31:40.620 --> 00:31:42.259 receiving this everlasting 00:31:42.259 --> 00:31:44.640 joy as co-heirs 00:31:44.640 --> 00:31:45.660 with Christ. 00:31:46.360 --> 00:31:47.620 So we're forgiven now 00:31:47.620 --> 00:31:48.460 and we have a beautiful 00:31:48.460 --> 00:31:50.460 future that awaits us. 00:31:50.840 --> 00:31:51.500 So application, 00:31:52.299 --> 00:31:52.980 go to God, 00:31:53.700 --> 00:31:54.620 seek his face, 00:31:55.000 --> 00:31:55.779 and repent of 00:31:55.779 --> 00:31:57.100 any sins you may have. 00:31:58.200 --> 00:31:59.279 Second application is 00:31:59.279 --> 00:31:59.920 rejoice. 00:32:00.960 --> 00:32:02.480 Consider how you spend 00:32:02.480 --> 00:32:03.000 your mornings, 00:32:03.620 --> 00:32:04.620 your family time, 00:32:05.220 --> 00:32:06.279 your time in your marriage. 00:32:06.680 --> 00:32:07.759 Are you cultivating 00:32:07.759 --> 00:32:08.680 these times 00:32:08.680 --> 00:32:09.480 that you're rejoiced in? 00:32:09.680 --> 00:32:10.279 Are you cultivating 00:32:10.279 --> 00:32:11.640 your heart religious affection 00:32:11.640 --> 00:32:12.819 for you, 00:32:13.200 --> 00:32:14.140 for your spouse, 00:32:14.279 --> 00:32:14.880 for your family, 00:32:15.259 --> 00:32:16.140 for your church? 00:32:16.940 --> 00:32:18.140 And then in preparation 00:32:18.140 --> 00:32:18.799 for the gatherings, 00:32:18.799 --> 00:32:20.240 are we preparing for joy? 00:32:20.720 --> 00:32:21.920 Because going to church, 00:32:22.099 --> 00:32:23.180 singing songs together, 00:32:23.480 --> 00:32:24.380 and hearing God 00:32:24.380 --> 00:32:25.099 in his word 00:32:25.099 --> 00:32:27.400 should be an act of joy. 00:32:27.660 --> 00:32:28.720 It should fill us 00:32:28.720 --> 00:32:29.680 with complete joy 00:32:29.680 --> 00:32:31.279 in these moments. 00:32:31.519 --> 00:32:32.440 So let us be 00:32:32.440 --> 00:32:33.660 a joyful people 00:32:33.660 --> 00:32:35.160 who have experienced God 00:32:35.160 --> 00:32:36.220 and praise him 00:32:36.220 --> 00:32:38.120 as he so duly deserves. 00:32:38.660 --> 00:32:39.180 Pray with me.