Psalms 32:1-8

1 psalmus David exultate iusti in Domino rectos decet laudatio

2 confitemini Domino in cithara in psalterio decem cordarum psallite illi

3 cantate ei canticum novum bene psallite in vociferatione

4 quia rectum est verbum Domini et omnia opera eius in fide

5 diligit misericordiam et iudicium misericordia Domini plena est terra

6 verbo Domini caeli firmati sunt et spiritu oris eius omnis virtus eorum

7 congregans sicut in utre aquas maris ponens in thesauris abyssos

8 timeat Dominum omnis terra ab eo autem commoveantur omnes inhabitantes orbem

Psalms 32:1-8 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO PSALM 32

\\<<[A Psalm], of David, Maschil>>\\. This is the first of the psalms that bears this title: some think it is the name of a musical instrument, on which this psalm was sung; others the first word of a song, to the tune of which it was sung, as Aben Ezra; some say it is so called, because it was explained by an interpreter, as Jarchi; and the Rabbins {k} say, that every psalm that is called "Maschil" was dictated by an interpreter: the Targum renders it "a good understanding"; and the word properly signifies "instruction", or "causing to understand" {l}; and it may be the apostle has some reference to this title in 1Co 14:15; It is an instructive psalm; a didascalic ode, as Junius renders it: it gives an account how the psalmist was instructed under a dispensation of Providence; and was brought to a sense of sin, and acknowledgment of it; and was favoured with a discovery of pardoning grace; and in it he takes upon him to instruct others, Ps 32:8,9, and does instruct in the doctrine of the pardon of sin by the grace of God. {k} Elias Levita in Tishbi, p. 271. {l} lykvm "erudiens", Musculus, Munster, Vatablus, Montanus; "informans", Gejerus; "an instructing psalm", Ainsworth.