3. Who forgiveth all thine iniquities. Here
David begins his list of blessings received, which he rehearses as themes and
arguments for praise. He selects a few of the choicest pearls from the casket
of divine love, threads them on the string of memory, and hangs them about the
neck of gratitude. Pardoned sin is, in our experience, one of the choicest
boons of grace, one of the earliest gifts of mercy, in fact the needful
preparation for all that follows it. Till iniquity is forgiven, healing,
redemption, and satisfaction are unknown blessings. Forgiveness is first in the
order of our spiritual experience, and in some respects first in value. The
pardon granted is a present one—forgiveth; it is continual, for he still
forgiveth; it is divine, for God gives it; it is far-reaching, for it
removes all our sins; it takes in omissions as well as commissions; and
it is most effectual, for it is as real as the healing, and the rest of the
mercies with which it is placed. Who healeth all thy diseases. When the
cause is gone, namely, iniquity, the effect ceases. Sicknesses of body and soul
came into the world by sin, and as sin is eradicated, diseases bodily, mental,
and spiritual will vanish, till “the
inhabitant shall no more say, I am sick.” Many-sided is the character of our Heavenly Father, for, having
forgiven as a judge, he then cures as a physician. He is all things to us, as
our needs call for him, and our infirmities do but reveal him in new
characters. God gives efficacy to medicine for the body, and his grace
sanctifies the soul. Spiritually we are daily under his care, and he visits us,
as the surgeon does his patient, “healing” still (for that is the exact word) each malady as it arises. No
disease of our soul baffles his skill; he goes on healing all, and he
will do so till the last trace of taint has gone from our nature. The two alls
of this verse are further reasons for all that is within us praising the
Lord.
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