Bible Society of South Africa
Ds Hein Barnard

Forgiveness – Day 8

This Psalm is classified as a “penitential Psalm” but others refer to it also as a “Thanksgiving Psalm”. It deals with the result of forgiveness.

Bible text(s)

Psalms 23

The LORD our Shepherd

1The LORD is my shepherd;

I have everything I need.

2He lets me rest in fields of green grass

and leads me to quiet pools of fresh water.

3He gives me new strength.

He guides me in the right paths,

as he has promised.

4Even if I go through the deepest darkness,

I will not be afraid, LORD,

for you are with me.

Your shepherd's rod and staff protect me.

5You prepare a banquet for me,

where all my enemies can see me;

you welcome me as an honoured guest

and fill my cup to the brim.

6I know that your goodness and love will be with me all my life;

and your house will be my home as long as I live.

Forgiveness in the Psalms – 1

It is important to know that forgiveness is not possible without the confession of sins.  It asks for the exposing of sins done when somebody else has seen or knows about it.  It might be physical sins, but also our thoughts.  God cannot be forced to forgive when there is a confession of sins; He forgives because He is a merciful God.

The believer can be genuinely happy in the assurance that his/her sins have been forgiven.

It is important to seek forgiveness before it might be too late.  Carrying the yoke of unforgiveness for life, when someone passed away, is not worth it.

Paul refers to this Psalm in Romans 4:7-8.

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