The Firm Resolve: Having Confessed His Sin, to Blot It Out (V. 19)

Ps. 37:19. For I will declare my iniquity, and I will be anxious about my sin.

This resolve is a consequence of all experienced by the repenting sinner from that moment when, in fear and trembling, he stood before the face of the Lord; it follows immediately upon the rekindling of strong hope in mercy, intercession, and help from God. The feeling of one’s moral helplessness cuts off such a resolve in the very beginning; but when there is rooted in the soul the assurance of ready help from on high, and it feels the stirring: «If God is for us, who is against us?» (Rom. 8:31)—then, and only then, having confessed sin, does it dare to make a vow not to indulge in it further.

«I will declare my iniquity»—I will not hide it, will confess my sins sincerely, and acknowledge that I deserve all punishment for them. «I myself will become my own accuser» (Athanasius). «I myself will proclaim my sin so that all may witness that I do not approve of it, turn from it, abhor it» (Zigabenus). And I will not only do this but after confession will not surrender myself to carelessness, but will apply all my care to be upright. «I will be anxious about my sin»—I will endeavor to wash it away, to break free from it, to amend; I will not be negligent but will zealously care for it. This is what every penitent promises to God on confession, God who does not desire the death of the sinner: I sinned—I will not again.

«Do not give in to carelessness after confessing sin,» says Blessed Augustine. «Thus proclaim your iniquity, so as to be anxious about your sin—What does it mean: to be anxious about sin? The same as to be anxious about a wound. If you said: I will be anxious about my wound, what else would be understood as: I will be anxious so that it heals?—So to be anxious about sin means to have constant zealous care that it be erased and blotted out. I will be anxious about my sin—I will do everything that must be done for purification of my soul from it.»

Negligence about sin adds sin to sin, but care for it cuts it off and uproots the habit of it—it strengthens one in God’s commandments and fortifies a morally good character. This is what the Apostle also commands—with fear and trembling work out your own salvation (Phil. 2:12), be a zealot of good deeds (Titus 2:14).

Such a disposition should govern the entire life of the one who has repented. Repentance is not a moment, but the work of a whole lifetime.