Praying the Psalms with Augustine and Friends

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Praying the Psalms with Augustine and Friends

Psalm 32 with John Calvin – Reconciliation with God David, having largely and painfully experienced what a miserable thing it is to feel God’s sorrow over our sin, here teaches us that happiness consists only in the free forgiveness of sins, for nothing can be more terrible than to have God for our enemy; nor can he be gracious to us in any other way than by forgiving our sins. Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven (v. 1). Almost the whole world, turning their thoughts from God’s judgment, brings upon themselves a deadly forgetfulness, and intoxicates themselves with deceitful pleasures. David, as if he had been struck with the fear of God’s wrath, awakens others by declaring distinctly and loudly that the only people who are blessed are those to whom God is reconciled. The two reasons for which the psalmist insists so much on the subject of forgiveness are these: that he may, on the one hand, raise up those who are asleep, inspire the careless with thoughtfulness, and awaken the dull; and that he may, on the other hand, calm fearful and anxious minds with an assured and steady confidence. The more greatly that anyone excels in holiness, the farther they feel from perfect righteousness, and the more clearly they perceive that they can trust in nothing but the mercy of God alone. Therefore, it appears that those who think the pardon of sin is necessary only when someone first becomes a Christian are badly mistaken. As believers are involved daily in many faults, it does not help them that they have once entered the way of righteousness, unless the same grace which brought them into it accompanies them to the last step of their life. Psalm 32 teaches that whenever sinners present themselves at the throne of mercy with true confession, they will find reconciliation with God awaiting them.