Bible Commentaries
Psalms 32

Verse 1

Maschil = giving instruction. This is the first of thirteen "Maschil" Psalms. These are Psa 32:42 , Psa 32:44 , Psa 32:45 , Psa 32:52 , Psa 32:53 , Psa 32:54 , Psa 32:55 , Psa 32:74 , Psa 32:78 , Psa 32:88 , Psa 32:89 ; Psa 32:142 ; some in each Book, except Book IV. See App-65 .

Blessed = How happy. See App-63 . Quoted in Romans 4:7 , Romans 4:8 .

he. Left to be supplied by any one who has this experience.

transgression = breaking away, rebellion. Hebrew. pasha ', referring to thought. App-44 .

forgiven = taken up and carried away.

sin = erring, transgression. Hebrew. chata' . App-44 .

covered = atoned (by the death and merit of a substituted sacrifice).

Verse 2

man. Hebrew. 'adam. App-14 .

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

imputeth not. Forensic or legal righteousness. The N.T. righteousness is not negative, but positive, for the righteousness of One (Christ) is imputed or accounted to another, as it was to Abraham (Genesis 15:6 . Romans 4:13 ).

iniquity = sin in the nature, rather than breaches of the law in act = perverseness (never eradicated). Hebrew. 'avon. App-44 .

spirit. Hebrew. ruach. App-9 .

Verse 3

kept silence: from confession. Probably during the year referred to in 2 Samuel 12:1-5 .

roaring = irrepressible anguish. Not yet articulate confession.

Verse 4

hand. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6 .

is = was.

into. Some codices, with Aramaean, read "like".

Selah. Connecting the trouble of conviction with the confession to which it led. See App-66 .

Verse 5

I acknowledged = I [made up my mind that I would] acknowledge.

have I not hid = did I not hide.

transgressions. Refers to 2 Samuel 12:13 (941 B. C). Some codices, with Septuagint and Vulgate, read it in singular.

Thou forgavest. Divine forgiveness follows immediately on true confession to Him. Compare 2 Samuel 12:13 .Genesis 44:16 , Genesis 44:17 . Job 42:5 , Job 42:6 . Isaiah 6:5-7 . Daniel 10:10-12 .Luke 5:8-10 .

Selah. Connecting this Divine forgiveness with prayer and worship, which can be accepted only from those who have this experience. Compare Psalms 32:4 and Psalms 32:7 ; and see App-66 .

Verse 6

shall = let.

godly = man of lovingkindness, who has experienced this Divine grace or favour.

in a time, &c. = in a time of finding [his need].

floods, &c. Figure of speech Hypocatastasis . App-6 . Put for the time of need in preceding line.

Verse 7

hiding place. Note Jehovah my righteousness (Psalms 32:6 ), my hiding place (Psalms 32:7 ), and my guide (Psalms 32:8 ). Compare Psalms 9:9 ; Psalms 27:5 ; Psalms 31:20 ; Psalms 119:114 .

songs = shoutings.

Selah. Connecting this worship and praise with the further instruction and guidance which such receive.

Verse 8

I will instruct. Jehovah now speaks. See the Structure on p. 748.

instruct. Hence the title "Maschil". See App-65 . Note the Figure of speech Anabasis ( App-6 ): instruct, teach, guide.

shalt go = goest.

I will guide, &c. = Let me cause mine eye to take counsel concerning thee. Used of Jethro (Exodus 18:19 , &c), Nathan (1 Kings 1:12 , &c), Jeremiah (Jeremiah 38:15 ).

Verse 9

horse . . . mule. Compare Proverbs 26:3 .

bit . . . bridle. See note on "eye", Psalms 32:8 .

Lest = Otherwise they will not.

come near = draw near: i.e. for help and instruction, so as to understand what they are to do: (1) to help, Hebrew. karab, App-43 . (Deuteronomy 4:7 . Deu 34:18 ; Psalms 119:151 ; Psalms 145:18 . Nehemiah 13:4 ); or (2) i n worship (Leviticus 16:1 . 1 Samuel 14:36 . Ezekiel 40:46 ; Ezekiel 44:15 ).

Verse 10

the wicked = the lawless one. Hebrew. rasha. App-44 .

trusteth = confideth. Hebrew. batah. App-69 .

mercy = lovingkindness, or grace.