Our Common Prayerbook 32 – 2

The Book of Psalms is the prayerbook we have in common; all Christians can learn to pray by reading the Psalms and listening to them. We can learn to pray by re-praying the Psalms. Psalm 32 teaches us to confess, and we learn to confess by being permitted into the “confessional” of David. Yesterday we looked into David’s experience in vv. 3-5, and today I want to probe a bit into how David teaches others to pray (vv. 6-7, 9-10) but begin by observing that v. 8 stands out as wisdom for those who need to hear the value of wisdom. I take them as David’s own words:

I will instruct and teach you about how you should live.

I will advise you as I look you in the eye.

One could see this as God speaking to others, following Goldingay (Psalms, Vol. 1: Psalms 1-41), but that would also mean vv. 9-10 are also words from God. I have my doubts about that approach. Perhaps we can learn to read this Psalm from the middle up and the middle down: learning the value of confession enlightens what is above and below these words.

Because David learned to do this, David confessed his sin (vv. 3-5); but David also instructed others in the value of confession.

32:6 For this reason every one of your faithful followers should pray to you while there is a window of opportunity. Certainly when the surging water rises, it will not reach them. 32:7 You are my hiding place; you protect me from distress. You surround me with shouts of joy from those celebrating deliverance. (Selah)

32:9 Do not be like an unintelligent horse or mule, which will not obey you unless they are controlled by a bridle and bit. 32:10 An evil person suffers much pain, but the Lord’s faithfulness overwhelms the one who trusts in him.

Confession is not just good for the body and soul; confession is learning to live in the truths of reality.

32:1 How blessed is the one whose rebellious acts are forgiven,

whose sin is pardoned!

32:2 How blessed is the one whose wrongdoing the Lord does not punish,

in whose spirit there is no deceit.

32:3 When I refused to confess my sin,

my whole body wasted away,

while I groaned in pain all day long.

32:4 For day and night you tormented me;

you tried to destroy me in the intense heat of summer. (Selah)

32:5 Then I confessed my sin;

I no longer covered up my wrongdoing.

I said, “I will confess my rebellious acts to the Lord.”

And then you forgave my sins. (Selah)

32:6 For this reason every one of your faithful followers should pray to you

while there is a window of opportunity.

Certainly when the surging water rises,

it will not reach them.

32:7 You are my hiding place;

you protect me from distress.

You surround me with shouts of joy from those celebrating deliverance. (Selah)

32:8 I will instruct and teach you about how you should live.

I will advise you as I look you in the eye.

32:9 Do not be like an unintelligent horse or mule,

which will not obey you

unless they are controlled by a bridle and bit.

32:10 An evil person suffers much pain,

but the Lord’s faithfulness overwhelms the one who trusts in him.

32:11 Rejoice in the Lord and be happy, you who are godly!

Shout for joy, all you who are morally upright!