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I. THE PERSON TO WHOM WE MUST CONFESS IS GOD. The Scribes and Pharisees, though they were corrupt in many things else, yet they held this for a truth, that none could forgive sins but God only (Mark 2:7). And this doth the Lord testify of Himself (Isaiah 45:35; 1 John 1:9). Besides the precepts in the Word of God, there is recorded the repentance of God's children, who have humbly acknowledged their sins before God as Manasses (2 Chronicles 33.); David (2 Samuel 2:11); the Prodigal Son (Luke 15.). So true is that saying (Proverbs 28:18).

II. THE MANNER IN WHICH WE MUST CONFESS OUR SINS.

1. We must take heed that we do know our transgressions, the number of them, the greatness of them, the danger of them, how they make us most vile in the sight of God. Now, there is a twofold knowledge of our sin; first, general; second, special. General knowledge never worketh any reformation, for this is found in all men that can say they are sinners; but there is a special knowledge of sin which God will once discover unto us, either in mercy to our good and salvation, as here, to David, to Peter, to Mary Magdalen, etc., or else in wrath, as He did to Judas, Cain, Ahithophel, etc., to their final condemnation.

2. Our confession of our sins must proceed from sorrow of heart for them, with a hatred of them, so as nothing do more grieve us than our offences.

3. It must be frank and free, not wrung out by compulsion. We must be as forward and as ready to confess them to the glory of God, as we were to commit them to His dishonour (Psalm 32:5).

4. We must confess our sins with purpose to forsake them (Isaiah 55:7).

(S. Smith.)

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KJV: Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.

WEB: Let me hear joy and gladness, That the bones which you have broken may rejoice.