Problem: God warns here that “He who covers his sins will not prosper.” However, elsewhere God commends those who have had their sins covered, saying, “Blessed is he … whose transgression is covered” (Ps. 32:1).
Solution: In response, several crucial differences should be observed. First, anyone who attempts to cover his own sin is condemned, but the one who confesses his sins and has God cover his sins for him is blessed. Second, in the first case, it is an unjustified concealment of sin that God is condemning. In the other passage it is a God-appointed means of remission or atonement. Third, one passage is condemning anyone who attempts to cover up his sin. The other is commending those who have God cover their sins by blood atonement.
