Bible Commentaries
Psalms 32

Verses 1-11

Psalms 32

BLESSEDNESS IN FORGIVENESS

Verses 1-11:

Verse 1 asserts that the one whose willful sin (transgression) is covered is a blessed, spiritually prosperous man. One’s sins are covered by the blood of Jesus, when he confesses them. Jesus has become a covering, (propitiation) through faith in His blood, to turn away God’s wrath and vengeance from the sinner, Romans 3:25; Psalms 85:2; Exodus 34:7; Psalms 19:13; Daniel 9:24. See also Isaiah 1:18; Isaiah 43:25; Isaiah 45:22; Acts 13:38; Romans 4:6.

Verse 2 adds that the man is blessed against whore, the Lord will not repeatedly impute iniquity or calculate against the transgressors account his iniquity; For man is justified by faith, not by morality, religious rites, ceremonies, or penance, 2 Samuel 19:19; Romans 4:1-8; Leviticus 17:4; Romans 5:13; 2 Corinthians 5:19; And in whose spirit there is (or exists) no guile, John 1:47; 2 Corinthians 1:12; 1 Peter 2:1-2; Revelation 14:5. For he had acknowledged his sin, v.5.

Verses 3, 4 relate that when David kept silence, hid his sins, for near one year, the Great Sins against Bathsheba and Uriah, his bones waxed old, ached and continually roared with pain all the day long, day and night, as the Lord’s convicting, pricking, outstretched hand was heavily upon him, 2 Samuel ch. 11, 12. His moisture had dried up in his body, like the burning summer drought, as he tried to stifle the voice of his conscience, Proverbs 17:22; 1 Samuel 5:6; 1 Samuel 5:11; Job 13:21; Daniel 7:28; Daniel 10:8; Daniel 10:19; Psalms 102:4; Psalms 51:4; Psalms 51:11.

Verse 5 further relates how David came to the Lord with his sin, iniquity, and transgressions, openly confessed to the Lord and found forgiveness of all the iniquity of his sin. Selah, meditate and digest it, Proverbs 28:13; Isaiah 65:21; Luke 15:18; 1 John 1:9.

Verse 6 advises that "for this," forgiveness he found, every one who is godly should pray to the Lord, in a time when He may be found, while the day of mercy and grace linger, before bitter chastening judgment falls, and he can find pardon, Deuteronomy 4:29; Isaiah 55:6-7; 1 Timothy 1:16; John 7:34. And surely when the floodlights of judgment fall as great waters upon the wicked, who obstinately remain in impenitence, they will not touch or harm the one whose sins, iniquities, and transgressions are confessed and covered.

Verse 7 confides that the Lord was David’s hiding place, to preserve him from the troubles of others as well as his own that he has confessed, Psalms 9:9; Psalms 27:5; Psalms 31:20; Psalms 119:114; Psalms 143:9; Jeremiah 36:26; Colossians 3:3. He gloried that the Lord would encompass him with songs of deliverance, liberation, and freedom from his enemies, v.11; Job 38:7; 2 Samuel 22:1.

Verse 8 relates the Lord’s resolve to instruct, teach, and guide David with His all-watching-eye, in the way that he should go, Isaiah 48:17; Psalms 25:9-10. The way was, first obedience to the law; second, it was the way of confession and repentance and turning from sin, Jeremiah 24:6; Deuteronomy 11:12; Psalms 34:15; Luke 15:21; Luke 22:61-62.

Verse 9 warns that one be not like the horse or the mule, in stubbornness, that must be held in line by bit and bridle, chastening instruments continually, lest they come near and trample or cripple you, James 3:3-5; Proverbs 26:3. For "if we would judge ourselves, (discipline or chasten ourselves) we should not be judged with the world," 1 Corinthians 11:31-32.

Verse 10 warns that many sorrows shall be to (attach to) the wicked, but the one who trusts in the Lord, mercy shall be all around him, Proverbs 13:11; Ro 29. See also Psalms 34:8; Psalms 84:12; Proverbs 16:20; Jeremiah 17:7. Paydays of sorrow and regret came to Balaam, to Saul, and to Jonah for their stubborn, "mulish" behavior. So watch that mule in you!

Verse 11 calls on the righteous to be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, share their joy with others, even shouting for joy when one is upright in heart, unhypocritical in his testimony or song of praise, Psalms 107:2; Matthew 5:15-16; John 15:27; Acts 1:8; Romans 1:16.