Scripture for this Lord’s Day (Psalm 32:1-7)

Psalm 32

 ¹ Blessed is he
   whose transgressions are forgiven,
   whose sins are covered.
² Blessed is the man
   whose sin the LORD does not count against him
   and in whose spirit is no deceit.

 ³ When I kept silent,
   my bones wasted away
   through my groaning all day long.
⁴ For day and night
   your hand was heavy upon me;
my strength was sapped
   as in the heat of summer.
                         Selah

⁵ Then I acknowledged my sin to you
   and did not cover up 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 godly pray to you
   while you may be found;
surely when the mighty waters rise,
   they will not reach him.
⁷ You are my hiding place;
   you will protect me from trouble
   and surround me with songs of deliverance.
                         Selah

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Heidelberg Catechism: Lord’s Day 5 (Deliverance)

Deliverance

12. Question: Since, according to God’s righteous judgment we deserve temporal and eternal punishment, how can we escape this punishment and be again received into favor?

Answer: God demands that His justice be satisfied.[1] Therefore full payment must be made either by ourselves or by another.[2]

[1] Ex. 20:5; 23:7; Rom. 2:1-11. [2] Is. 53:11; Rom. 8:3, 4.

13. Question: Can we ourselves make this payment?

Answer: Certainly not. On the contrary, we daily increase our debt.[1]

[1] Ps. 130:3; Matt. 6:12; Rom. 2:4, 5.

14. Question: Can any mere creature pay for us?

Answer: No. In the first place, God will not punish another creature for the sin which man has committed.[1] Furthermore, no mere creature can sustain the burden of God’s eternal wrath against sin and deliver others from it.[2]

[1] Ezek. 18:4, 20; Heb. 2:14-18. [2] Ps. 130:3; Nah. 1:6.

15. Question: What kind of mediator and deliverer must we seek?

Answer: One who is a true[1] and righteous[2] man, and yet more powerful than all creatures; that is, one who is at the same time true God.[3]

[1] I Cor. 15:21; Heb. 2:17. [2] Is. 53:9; II Cor. 5:21; Heb. 7:26. [3] Is. 7:14; 9:6; Jer. 23:6; John 1:1; Rom. 8:3, 4.

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