The four Selah of recovery from sin

1 Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. 2 Happy are those to whom the LORD imputes no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. 3 While I kept silence, my body wasted away through my groaning all day long. 4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah 5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not hide my iniquity; I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD," and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah 6 Therefore let all who are faithful offer prayer to you; at a time of distress, the rush of mighty waters shall not reach them. 7 You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with glad cries of deliverance. Selah 8 I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. 9 Do not be like a horse or a mule, without understanding, whose temper must be curbed with bit and bridle, else it will not stay near you. 10 Many are the torments of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds those who trust in the LORD. 11 Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart. Psalm 32:1-11

O God, have mercy on me, a sinner

I've never notice the Selahs in this Psalm before. I think it outlines the stages of recovery well: 1) First it indicates the natural provision for sins, the consequence of coming to God or to hold back from him. 2) Then the Psalmist moved to a definite action of confessing his sins to God and receiving forgiveness from him. 3) Then there are a refuge period when he was still coping with his trouble. 4) And finally the praise and the renewal to God. And so there is a transitional stage 3 which may linger through before our faith are fully establish. I hope that I am there in that stage. I can only hope, because I am not so certain of where I am in this anymore...

O God, have mercy on me, a sinner.