Sermon Outline

1. Introduction (Ps 32 title)
   1. Martin Luther “Psalmi Paulini”.
   2. Augustine’s favorite psalm
   3. Day of Atonement Liturgy
   4. A Maskil?
2. The Suffering of Unconfessed Sin (Ps 32:3-4, James 5:15-16)
   1. We don’t know what sin David was trying to keep hidden
   2. One thing is for sure: Every sinner tries to ignore their sin
   3. Hidden sin eats at the soul & affects the physical body!
3. What is a true confession? (Ps 32:5)
   1. Acknowledged: means to announce, to know, be intimate with, to admit
   2. Did not cover: conceal, hide
   3. “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord”
4. The wonder and blessing of Forgiveness (Ps 32:1-2, 5d, 1Jn 1:9-10, Ex 34:6-7)
   1. When we confess, God forgives. What does that mean?
   2. Forgive: Lit. means to carry away.
   3. Covered: Lit. to make obscured so no longer visible (Gen 7:19, Ex 24:6, Judg 4:18)
   4. Not Counted: Lit. not added to
5. Calling all godly to pray (Ps 32:6-7)
   1. First, he urges the godly to Pray and pray now.
   2. Second, he notes that there is a time when it is too late.
   3. Third, he declares that God is the one who can protect us from judgment
   4. Finally, Selah – “pause and calmly think about that”.
6. God’s Promise to Instruct the godly (Ps 32:8)
7. Words of Wisdom – a warning (Ps 32:9-10)
8. Conclusion (Ps 32:11)
   1. The OT was full of calls to faith and trust,
   2. The NT call to faith (Acts 3:18-20)