Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered, Psalms 32:1 and Isaiah 40:2.
We have all need of learning and praying the fifth petition of the Lord’s prayer better and better; for we still feel sin, nay, when it is best with us we have the most tender feeling of sin; but when we draw back we become blind to ourselves. To do sin is wrong; but to feel sin, and run to the physician with it, is good.
Luther says, " To be sensible of sin is a good sign, therefore we are not to despair, but to thank God heartily for it. For as long as a Christian lives in the flesh, sin remains in him; but since he is protected under the shadow of the wings of Christ, as a chicken under the wings of a hen, and is covered with that large, extensive heaven, whose name is forgiveness of sin, the Lord does not lay the remaining sins to his charge."
Now, O Lord, grant that I may look beyond all that is good and bad, upon thee alone, how thou coverest all my sin; and let me not only always live and rest in the remission of sin as mine element, but also die in it at last.
Justice upon a dreadful throne
Maintains the rights of God,
While mercy sends her pardon down,
Bought with a Saviour’s blood.
Now, to my soul, immortal King,
Speak some forgiving word;
Then ’twill be double joy to sing
The glories of my Lord.