Proverbs 28:13 - Exposition

He that covereth his sins shall not prosper. To cover one's sins is either absolutely to disown them or to make excuses; a man who does this is never free from a burden of guilt, as the psalmist says, "When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long. For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me" ( Psalms 32:3 , etc.). Whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy. Confession alone without amendment, or what is called theologically satisfaction, does not win pardon and mercy. It is when the sinner acknowledges his transgression, and turns from it to newness of life, that God heals his backsliding, and turns away his auger and renews the tokens of his love ( Hosea 14:4 ). Confession is made to God, against whom all sin is committed ( Joshua 7:19 ; Job 31:33 ; 1 John 1:8 , etc.): and to man, if one has transgressed against him, or if he be in a position to give spiritual counsel. Thus the people confessed their sins before John the Baptist ( Matthew 3:6 ) and the apostles ( Acts 19:18 ; comp. James 5:16 ). Among the Jews, the high priest, acting as the mouthpiece of the people on the great Day of Atonement, confessed their iniquities, laying them on the scapegoat; and particular confession was also enjoined, and was part of the ritual accompanying a sacrifice for sin, by which legal purification was obtained ( Numbers 5:6 , Numbers 5:7 , "When a man or woman shall commit any sin … then they shall confess their sin which they have done;" so Le Numbers 5:5 ). And the very offering of a trespass offering was a public recognition of guilt, which was exhibited by the offerer laying his hand on the head of the victim (Le Proverbs 1:4 ). Such confession is spoken of strongly by Siracides, "Be not ashamed to confess thy sins, and force not the course of the river" ( Ecclesiastes 4:1-16 :26); i . e . do not attempt the impossible task of trying to hide them. The LXX . has, "He who sets forth accounts ἐξηγούμενος ἐλέγχους i . e . blames himself) shall be loved." Lesetre quotes Sedulius, 'Carm. Pasch.,' 4.76—

" Magna est medicina fateri

Quod nocet abscondi; quoniam sua vulnera nutrit

Qui tegit, et plagam trepidat nudare medenti ."

"Mighty relief

T' expose what rankles while 'tis hidden still.

He feeds who hides his wounds and shuns to show

His heart's plague to the good physician."