Chuck Smith explores Psalm 32, emphasizing the blessings of forgiveness and the burdens of unconfessed sin. He highlights the importance of acknowledging our transgressions and the relief that comes from confession, contrasting the heaviness of silence with the joy of God's forgiveness. Smith illustrates that while we may face trials and sorrows, God provides strength and guidance through them, urging us not to resist His instruction. Ultimately, he reassures that true peace comes from a spirit free of guile and a heart open to God's voice.

Intro: Experienced in this Psalm we have (sin bitterness, burden-conviction) (sorrow-floods of great water, prison) (silence - ignorance of God's way, God's voice silent). I. "O THE BLESSINGS OF TRANSGRESSION FORGIVEN, AND SIN COVERED." A. Hebrew word "transgression" actual willful wrongdoing. B. "Sin" missing the mark. 1. Not a day passes that I do not sin - not willfully but a coming short - missing the mark. 2. Psalm opens and closes with doxology - they are linked. C. "Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile." 1. The man acquitted before the judge. a. The condition of acquittal "in whose spirit there is no guile." b. Cannot have second blessing apart from first. c. Psalm written in shadow of cross. 2. "The Lord imputeth not iniquity." a. Not "his neighbor imputeth not." 3. Shut up to God as judge. 4. What is guile? a. Deceit, seeking to hide. b. No man can practice guile in God's presence. 1. Try to argue some evil thing not so evil. 2. Try to excuse our sin. c. When we recognize and face our sin & confess then there is forgiveness. II. SORROW "WHEN I KEPT SILENCE, MY BONES WAXED OLD." A. Trying to hide sin from God. 1. Down deep know something wrong - tried to hide. 2. My moisture was turned into the draught of summer. 3. "Day and night thy hand was heavy upon me" God does not let us rest short of submission. B. "I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid." 1. How quick God is to forgive. a. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord, and thou forgavest the iniquity. b. The moment I made up my mind God met me. Before confession actually made forgiveness had taken place. II. SORROW. A. "Great waters overflow they shall not reach unto him." 1. Apparent contradiction. 2. Man in midst of overflowing waters. B. Not keep me from trouble, but preserve me in it. C. No deliver me or keep me from prison but give me songs in prison. D. Not immune from sorrow but triumphant over. Ill. SILENCE. A. "I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way God dealing with perplexed soul. Sorrow of silence greatest when we hear no voice." B. "Do not be a mule!" 1. He wants to guide us by other methods. If we refuse guidance then bit necessary.