meaning - How can "confession" mean praise?


I was looking at a short summary of Augustine's Confessions, and came across a statement by the translator that though the word "confession" can mean acknowledgement of sin, it can also be a statement of praise. Elsewhere, in religious writings, I also see it apparently meaning giving thanks, making a vow, etc. Yet the dictionaries I looked at, don't have these meanings for confession. They only mention confessing to one's sins or crimes or something that one finds shameful or embarrassing. Confession's etymology apparently goes to "confiteri" which simply means to acknowledge.


Appreciate any help.


LATER EDIT: I'll quote it from the book: "The very title itself can be read two ways: Of confession as praise, as well as confession as acknowledgement of faults." That's from the introduction, nothing more is said of that.




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