What does it mean for God to cover sin?
Sep 2, 2009
In Psalm 32:1 David writes, "Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven whose sin is covered."
What does it mean for God to "cover" sin? To "cover" sin is a synonymous way to express forgiveness. When God "covers" (i.e., forgives) sin, He does not take them away in an absolute sense. He doesn't fail to notice them. Rather, God doesn't punish us for those sins. God, the Just Judge, withholds condemnation.
Thus, Augustine writes, "Therefore, why does he say his sins are covered? In order that they might not be seen. For what was it for God to see sins except to punish them," (Turrretin, Justification, p. 57).
How is it possible for God, whose eyes are too pure to approve evil, and can not look on wickedness with favor (Hab. 1:13), to cover a man's sins?
This blessing is a principal effect of the full satisfaction Christ made for us. Christ, Peter says, "bore our sins in his body on the tree," (1 Pet. 2:24). Paul says Christ canceled "the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. This he set aside, nailing it to the cross," (Col. 2:14).
Because Christ made a full satisfaction no punishment of our sin remains. God doesn't demand the payment of the same debt twice. Consequently, "There is, therefore, now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus," (Rom. 8:1). Jesus made a full satisfaction for us. He canceled our debt and freed us from the curse and condemnation of the law by becoming a curse for us (Gal. 3:13). By one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified (Heb. 10:14).
It is in this way that God is able to "cover" our sins. This is truly a state of blessedness!
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