Early in Psalm 106 the writer confesses for himself and his people. He says, “We have sinned, just as our people of long ago did. We too have done what is evil and wrong.” He then reviews the history of Israel from their deliverance from Egypt through the exile into Babylon. In it he points out how they forgot God’s kindness, they ignored his laws, they turned to idols, they rebelled against his ways, they hardened themselves against him, they did whatever they wanted and they got what they deserved. They are now slaves in a foreign land because they have ignored the God that made them and saved them. He closes his Psalm with a cry for forgiveness and salvation. Verse 46 says, “LORD our God, save us. Bring us back from among the nations.” He then promises to live life as he should. Verse 46 continues, “Then we will give thanks to you, because your name is holy. We will celebrate by praising you.”
It’s the song of a penitent heart. It’s a cry for forgiveness and redemption that begins with an acknowledgement of guilt and the acceptance of responsibility. It’s interesting that we all need to repent, we all need to ask for forgiveness and accept responsibility for our actions and their consequences. We need to repent and confess our wrongs to God and we often need to repent and confess our wrongs to each other also. It seems that the same rules apply to both; acknowledge our guilt, accept responsibility for being in the situation we’re in, and promise to reform. There are so many truths in this it would be impossible to list them all. But let me give you a couple of the most famous quotes:
If we put off repentance another day, we have a day more to repent of, and a day less to repent in.
He that hath promised pardon on our repentance hath not promised life till we repent.
You cannot repent too soon, because you know not how soon it may be too late.
True repentance is never too late; but late repentance is seldom true.
Forgiving the unrepentant is like drawing pictures on water.
Chuck
“Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done. Sing to him; yes, sing his praises. Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds.” (Psalm 105:1-2)