THE PSALMS SPEAK to every aspect of the human heart, in every thought and emotion possible between pain and joy. The words of David overflow with the gratitude of a cleansed soul. “Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven; whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man whose sin the LORD does not count against him and in whose spirit is no deceit.” (Ps. 32:1-2)
The hardened heart is one that cannot understand the wisdom of this quote from Psalms. “He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe.” (Prov. 28:26) Such a calloused heart is full of deceit, and is itself deceived. The price of transgressions unforgiven and sins not covered is an extraordinary and unique price, separating heaven and hell. The cost is so great that in this same psalm David says, “When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.” (Psa. 32:3)
Ever been there? Has or did the time come when no amount of shifting the blame to others alleviated the weight of guilt that comes with sin, and the sense of separation from God is so unbearably heavy that, like the melancholy David, all strength has gone from your mind, emotions, and will? This state of being our modern psychologists and psychiatrists have labeled ‘depression.’ Hand in glove with them, the world’s pharmaceutical industry has manufactured an infinite number of pills in a rainbow of colors to remedy the ‘chemical imbalances’ of individuals and whole cultures. This is intentionally applied experimental social engineering.
We do not deny the benefits of such modern medicine to those who truly have a medical problem that undeniably contributes to such depression. But, indisputably spiritually, it is clear that for many, even most, God’s diagnosis and prescription for this human affliction is different. God’s diagnosis: sin. God’s prescription: repentance. Pretty straightforward, isn’t it? Don’t deal with symptoms, deal with the cause. Don’t seek other’s help, or self-help, seek his help. It’s worth reading Psalm 32 slowly in its entirety to get focus on the depth of the issues involved in God’s cure for depression caused by sin.
Sin is clearly a four-letter word in our modern culture. The concepts of honor and shame are blurred. It is a lot easier to talk about bad choices—or perhaps bad luck—in the secular circles. Even in church circles preference is for a biblical definition that calls sin ‘missing the mark,’ which is actually an accurate translation of the noun, and yet misses the truth of the mark. The word ‘sin’ sounds so… intolerant… so judgmental. And yet, the Bible tells us that a Holy God is a jealous God; that YHWH will not tolerate sin in a people that are consecrated to Him.
The western evangelical church in its current incarnation is clearly responsible, many would say, for glossing over sin by promoting personal prosperity and self-actualization under the very acceptable cover of a ‘personal relationship’ with Jesus, doing so all-too-often from the emphasis of the benefit to the individual’s felt needs rather than the cost of discipleship. This quote says it well: *“The western evangelical church has become the spoiled brat of Christianity.”
The deceitful heart fools only itself and others like it. God is never fooled. The deceitful heart will always dodge and deny, seeking an explanation or asking for a medication. The repentant heart gains wisdom and seeks blessing through repentance of sin, and intentionally maintains this condition through faith and obedience. “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” (Pro. 4:23)
Psalm 32 and Psalm 51 are linked by David’s great sin of adultery and murder in his forever-tarnished relationship with Bathsheba. He felt the enormity of his severance from God. “Let the bones you have crushed rejoice. Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity.” (Psa. 51:8-9) He humbled himself to the Father. “Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity.” (Psa. 32:5) Godly repentance is what our Father seeks from each of us (cf. 2 Cor. 7:10), and is the key that unlocks the door separating us from him. David plead earnestly for this. “Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” (Psa. 51:10) And mercy rained down from heaven; David found the depths of the forgiveness of God, and could celebrate the joy of the Lord. “Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!” (Psa. 32:11)
Let this word from Paul encourage us: “Rejoice in the Lord always. Do not be anxious. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:4-7)
Q. Average human heart = 1lb. What is the price per pound of sin? (c.f. Rom. 6:23a)
* C. S. Lewis, “Mere Christianity” – 1952.
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