Psalm 32

Psalm 32 is used three times in the Pastoral Care Companion. The entire Psalm is placed under the heading of Homosexuality. The first five verses are used under the heading Guilt and Shame. Verses 1-7 of the Psalm are used under the heading Separation and Divorce. All of these are appropriate uses of the Psalm. Psalm 32 is a comforting Psalm which proclaims the sinner forgiven and blessed. The first two verses are a joyful proclamation of the forgiveness of sins. The Hebrew word for “forgiven” literally means “to lift up.” John the Baptist proclaimed this using the Greek word for “lift up,” αἴρω. John 1:29, “Behold, the Lamb of God, who lifts up (upon Himself) the sins of the world!” Christ, the sin-bearer (Isaiah 53), lifts our sin from us and bears it Himself. This message is for all sinners. Whatever the sin, God bore it for us. Our sin no longer clings to us, but to Christ. For our comfort, Psalm 103:12 reinforces that our sins are completely removed from us in Christ, “as far as the east is from the west, so far does he remove our transgressions from us.” Luther wrote, “No one is without unrighteousness; before God all are
The Hebrew word for “hiding place” is סֵתֶר. This noun is used 36 times in the Old Testament and besides speaking of God as a hiding place it speaks of things done in secret (in an attempt to hide them from the eyes of man and God). This noun is used in 2nd Samuel 12 when God spoke to David concerning his adultery and murder. Yahweh said to David, “For you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel and before the sun.” David attempted to cover up his sin and do it in secret, but Scripture is clear that the sinner cannot cover up his sin. He might cover it up from men, but not from God. God will expose his sin before all