Psalms 32:3-5

3 When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.
4 For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer.[a]
5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin.

Psalms 32:3-5 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.

Cross References 9

  • 1. S Job 31:34
  • 2. Psalms 31:10
  • 3. S Job 3:24; Psalms 6:6
  • 4. 1 Samuel 5:6; S Job 9:34; Psalms 38:2; Psalms 39:10; Job 33:7
  • 5. Psalms 22:15
  • 6. Job 31:33
  • 7. Proverbs 28:13
  • 8. Psalms 103:12
  • 9. S Leviticus 26:40; 1 John 1:9

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. The Hebrew has "Selah" (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verses 5 and 7.
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