Hebrew Word of the Week

What is the difference between sin, iniquity, transgressions, errors, and faults?

As we read through the Bible, especially the Psalms, we see several different Hebrew words used for sin. Do they all have the same meaning? If not, what is the difference? That is what we will look at this week in our Hebrew word study. We will examine the Hebrew words for sin, iniquity, transgressions, errors, hidden faults, and presumptuous sins from Psalm 32 and Psalm 19. 

In Psalm 32, David writes, 

How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven,
Whose sin is covered! (vs. 1)

I acknowledged my sin to Thee,
And my iniquity I did not hide;
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD”;
And Thou didst forgive the guilt of my sin. Selah (vs. 5)

One note about this Psalm before discussing these words: Psalm 32 is a Maskil. Do you remember this word from a few weeks ago? A Maskil is a contemplative song that gives us insight and teaches us how to have success, wisdom, and prosperity. In Psalm 32, David describes how God's hand was heavy upon him and the misery he felt under the weight of unconfessed sin, transgression, and iniquity. The Voice translation expresses David's emotions well, 

How happy is the person whose sin the Eternal will not take into account.
    How happy are those who no longer lie, to themselves or others.

When I refused to admit my wrongs, I was miserable,
    moaning and complaining all day long
    so that even my bones felt brittle.
Day and night, Your hand kept pressing on me.
    My strength dried up like water in the summer heat;
    You wore me down.

[pause]

When I finally saw my own lies,
    I owned up to my sins before You,
    and I did not try to hide my evil deeds from You.
I said to myself, “I’ll admit all my sins to the Eternal,”
    and You lifted and carried away the guilt of my sin.

As we look at the meanings of these words, we will see how we cannot walk in godly wisdom or prosperity if sin, transgression, and iniquity are operating in our lives.

Sin—what is sin? The root of the word sin means “to miss the mark,” and it is always something against God. David expresses the heart of this definition when he says, It was against You, only You, that I sinned, for I have done what You say is wrong, right before Your eyes (Psalm 51:4, Voice). Our sins affect other people, but the heart of sin is that it misses God’s mark and the way He says we should be living. God has standards and Kingdom precepts that lead to success, prosperity, and life. Sin is a deviation from those standards and Kingdom precepts.

When David says, blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven (32:1) and I will confess my transgressions to the LORD (32:5), what does transgression mean?