What does Psalm 32:4 mean?

Believers who sin experience "conviction:" God's spiritual reminder, associated with guilt, which makes a person aware of their own wrongdoing (John 16:8). Those who have placed their faith in Christ (John 3:36) can admit their sin and repent (1 John 1:8–10), being assured that in Christ they have complete forgiveness. Their fellowship with God can be restored. Until then, God's discipline can come in many forms, including the physical and emotional burdens of conviction (Revelation 3:19).

God's hand weighed heavily on David, because of his grievous sin (2 Samuel 11—12). Just as scorching heat and sunlight can shrivel a plant, David's physical stamina vanished. Instead of being full of energy and physical prowess (Psalm 144:1), David felt like a withered old man. God was convicting David of his sin, but David refused to repent. According to Psalm 51:12 he lost the joy of his salvation.

Today, when a believer sins, the Holy Spirit convicts with the purpose of inspiring repentance and confession. Fortunately, our God is a pardoning God. Micah 7:18 assures us He pardons iniquity and passes over transgression. First John 1:9 encourages believers to confess their sins, because God is "faithful and just to forgive our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."