“6 Likewise, David also speaks of the blessing of the person to whom God credits righteousness apart from works: 7 Blessed are those whose lawless acts are forgiven and whose sins are covered. 8 Blessed is the person the Lord will never charge with sin.
In the last few devotionals you’ll remember that we discussed how our righteousness cannot come from our good works. Nothing we can do will earn us righteousness. The righteousness of believers in Jesus is not our own, but is inherited from Christ’s perfect life, death, and resurrection. This righteousness that we inherit from Christ is not our own by works but belongs to Jesus and is gifted to us by God in His mercy.
In verses 6-8, Paul provides another example of faith-based righteousness. Paul quotes the beginning of Psalm 32, a Psalm which is entirely devoted to King David’s sin with Bathsheba and David’s confession of his sin to God. In this Psalm, David comes before God with a broken heart. He brings nothing to God but his sin, deep regret, and remorse. This is why righteousness must be from faith, there is nothing we can do, no work we can perform, that will change our standing before God. It seems appropriate to go to the Scripture and read the account of King David’s fall into sin and his redemption from it by His faith in God.
“1 How joyful is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered!
2 How joyful is a person whom the Lord does not charge with iniquity and in whose spirit is no deceit!
3 When I kept silent, my bones became brittle from my groaning all day long.
4 For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was drained as in the summer’s heat. Selah.
5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not conceal my iniquity. I said, I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah.
6 Therefore let everyone who is faithful pray to you immediately. When great floodwaters come, they will not reach him.
7 You are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble. You surround me with joyful shouts of deliverance. Selah
8 I will instruct you and show you the way to go; with my eye on you, I will give counsel.
9 Do not be like a horse or mule, without understanding, that must be controlled with bit and bridle or else it will not come near you.
10 Many pains come to the wicked, but the one who trusts in the Lord will have faithful love surrounding him.
11 Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous ones; shout for joy, all you upright in heart. — Psalm 32:1-11