Posted by Mark Perry

Each year we try to choose a new song to learn that goes along with our missionary conference. This year, we have chosen the song, “Blest Is the Man, Forever Blest,” by Isaac Watts. You will notice that the verses echo the words of Psalm 32:1–5.

Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven,
whose sin is covered.

Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity,
and in whose spirit there is no deceit.

For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away
through my groaning all day long.

For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;
my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer.

I acknowledged my sin to you,
and I did not cover my iniquity;
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,”
and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. 

The first two stanzas of the hymn speak of the blessedness of receiving forgiveness from God for our sin. This forgiveness is based in God’s grace, as our humble repentance acknowledges. The third stanza refers to the ongoing repentance in the believer’s life that gives evidence of the genuineness of his faith. The final stanza rejoices in the righteousness of Christ credited to our account and the grace in which we stand.

Listen to Izaac and Kim sing the song.

You can download the song as a PDF here: Blest Is the Man, Forever Blest