Chapter 470 of 1163

PSALM 38

This is the third of the Penitential Psalms (cf. Ps. 6), and it reveals what happens to you when you sin.

What God does (1–2). God loves you too much to allow you to sin and get away with it. If you disobey, He will first rebuke you and then chasten you. He will shoot His arrows from a distance or come closer and put His hand on you, but He will let you know that He is displeased.

What sin does (3–10). David suffered from sickness because of his sin (Ps. 32:3–5). He carried a heavy burden and was crushed under it. He sighed and panted and was ready to quit. Sin comes as a friend to entice you and then becomes a master to enslave you.

What people do (11–14). Sin puts a wall between you and those who can help you, but it builds a bridge between you and those who want to exploit you and hurt you.

What the sinner must do (15–22). The only hope is to confess sin and cry out to God for mercy. He promises to forgive, so claim His promise.

What Happens to Sins

When you trust Christ, what does God do with your sins? He takes them away (John 1:29); forgets them (Heb. 10:17); washes them away (Isa. 1:18); blots them out (Isa. 43:25); wipes them out like a cloud (Isa. 44:22); pardons them (Isa. 55:7); and buries them in the depths of the sea (Mic. 7:19).

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