Psalms 32

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

9 quoniam ipse dixit et facta sunt ipse mandavit et creata sunt

10 Dominus dissipat consilia gentium reprobat autem cogitationes populorum %et reprobat consilia principum;

11 consilium autem Domini in aeternum manet cogitationes cordis eius in generatione et generationem

12 beata gens cuius est Dominus Deus eius populus quem elegit in hereditatem sibi

13 de caelo respexit Dominus vidit omnes filios hominum

14 de praeparato habitaculo suo respexit super omnes qui habitant terram

15 qui finxit singillatim corda eorum qui intellegit omnia opera illorum

16 non salvatur rex per multam virtutem et gigans non salvabitur in multitudine virtutis suae

17 fallax equus ad salutem in abundantia autem virtutis suae non salvabitur

18 ecce oculi Domini super metuentes eum qui sperant super misericordia eius

19 ut eruat a morte animas eorum et alat eos in fame

20 anima nostra sustinet Dominum quoniam adiutor et protector noster est

21 quia in eo laetabitur cor nostrum et in nomine sancto eius speravimus

22 fiat misericordia tua Domine super nos quemadmodum speravimus in te

Psalms 32 Commentary

Chapter 32

The happiness of a pardoned sinner. (1,2) The misery that went before, and the comfort that followed the confession of sins. (3-7) Sinners instructed, believers encouraged. (8-11)

Verses 1-2 Sin is the cause of our misery; but the true believer's transgressions of the Divine law are all forgiven, being covered with the atonement. Christ bare his sins, therefore they are not imputed to him. The righteousness of Christ being reckoned to us, and we being made the righteousness of God in him, our iniquity is not imputed, God having laid upon him the iniquity of us all, and made him a sin-offering for us. Not to impute sin, is God's act, for he is the Judge. It is God that justifies. Notice the character of him whose sins are pardoned; he is sincere, and seeks sanctification by the power of the Holy Ghost. He does not profess to repent, with an intention to indulge in sin, because the Lord is ready to forgive. He will not abuse the doctrine of free grace. And to the man whose iniquity is forgiven, all manner of blessings are promised.

Verses 3-7 It is very difficult to bring sinful man humbly to accept free mercy, with a full confession of his sins and self-condemnation. But the true and only way to peace of conscience, is, to confess our sins, that they may be forgiven; to declare them that we may be justified. Although repentance and confession do not merit the pardon of transgression, they are needful to the real enjoyment of forgiving mercy. And what tongue can tell the happiness of that hour, when the soul, oppressed by sin, is enabled freely to pour forth its sorrows before God, and to take hold of his covenanted mercy in Christ Jesus! Those that would speed in prayer, must seek the Lord, when, by his providence, he calls them to seek him, and, by his Spirit, stirs them up to seek him. In a time of finding, when the heart is softened with grief, and burdened with guilt; when all human refuge fails; when no rest can be found to the troubled mind, then it is that God applies the healing balm by his Spirit.

Verses 8-11 God teaches by his word, and guides with the secret intimations of his will. David gives a word of caution to sinners. The reason for this caution is, that the way of sin will certainly end in sorrow. Here is a word of comfort to saints. They may see that a life of communion with God is far the most pleasant and comfortable. Let us rejoice, O Lord Jesus, in thee, and in thy salvation; so shall we rejoice indeed.

Chapter Summary

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.