Genuine Happiness
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Genuine Happiness

 (ID: 2949)

In Psalm 32, the psalmist makes clear the nature of true happiness, which can only be found in a relationship with God. Alistair Begg explains that the key to establishing that relationship is forgiveness. God does not allow us to enjoy rebellion; the things we think will bring happiness are clouded by His grace and mercy. We can never know true happiness until our sin is addressed. Thankfully, He graciously offers to cleanse, cover, and cancel all our transgressions.


Blessed Are the Forgiven

A Maskil1 of David.

1jBlessed is the one whose ktransgression is forgiven,

whose sin is covered.

2Blessed is the man against whom the Lord lcounts no iniquity,

and in whose spirit mthere is no deceit.

3For when I kept silent, my nbones wasted away

through my ogroaning all day long.

4For day and night your phand was heavy upon me;

my strength was dried up2 as by the heat of summer. Selah

5I qacknowledged my sin to you,

and I did not cover my iniquity;

I said, “I rwill confess my transgressions to the Lord,”

and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah

6Therefore let everyone who is sgodly

offer prayer to you at a time when you tmay be found;

surely in the rush of ugreat waters,

they shall not reach him.

7You are a vhiding place for me;

you preserve me from wtrouble;

you surround me with xshouts of deliverance. Selah

8I will yinstruct you and teach you in the way you should go;

I will zcounsel you with my eye upon you.

9aBe not like a horse or a mule, without understanding,

which must be curbed with bbit and bridle,

or it will not stay near you.

10cMany are the sorrows of the wicked,

but steadfast love surrounds the one who dtrusts in the Lord.

11eBe glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous,

and fshout for joy, all you gupright in heart!

Copyright © 2024, Alistair Begg. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language.

Alistair Begg
Alistair Begg is Senior Pastor at Parkside Church in Cleveland, Ohio, and the Bible teacher on Truth For Life, which is heard on the radio and online around the world.