Psalms 32

Listen to Psalms 32
1 1Blessed is the one whose 2transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
2 Blessed is the man against whom the LORD 3counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit 4there is no deceit.
3 For when I kept silent, my 5bones wasted away through my 6groaning all day long.
4 For day and night your 7hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up[a] as by the heat of summer. Selah
5 I 8acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, "I 9will confess my transgressions to the LORD," and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah
6 Therefore let everyone who is 10godly offer prayer to you at a time when you 11may be found; surely in the rush of 12great waters, they shall not reach him.
7 You are a 13hiding place for me; you preserve me from 14trouble; you surround me with 15shouts of deliverance. Selah
8 I will 16instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will 17counsel you with my eye upon you.
9 18Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with 19bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you.
10 20Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who 21trusts in the LORD.
11 22Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, O righteous, and 23shout for joy, all you 24upright in heart!

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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.

Cross References 24

  • 1. Cited Romans 4:7, 8; [Psalms 85:2]
  • 2. [Exodus 34:7; John 1:29]
  • 3. [2 Corinthians 5:19]
  • 4. John 1:47
  • 5. See Psalms 31:10
  • 6. See Psalms 22:1
  • 7. 1 Samuel 5:6, 11; [Psalms 38:2]
  • 8. Psalms 51:3
  • 9. Psalms 38:18; Job 33:27; Proverbs 28:13; [Luke 15:18, 21; 1 John 1:9]
  • 10. Psalms 30:4
  • 11. See Psalms 69:13
  • 12. [Psalms 18:4, 16; Psalms 42:7; Psalms 69:1; Psalms 144:7]; See Job 22:11
  • 13. Psalms 91:1; Psalms 119:114; [Psalms 27:5; Psalms 31:20]
  • 14. Psalms 9:9
  • 15. [Ps. 18, title]; See Exodus 15:1-18; Judges 5:1-31
  • 16. Psalms 25:8, 12
  • 17. Psalms 73:24
  • 18. Proverbs 26:3; [Job 35:11]
  • 19. James 3:3
  • 20. [Proverbs 13:21; Romans 2:9]
  • 21. Psalms 34:8; Psalms 84:12; Proverbs 16:20; Jeremiah 17:7
  • 22. Psalms 64:10; Psalms 68:3; Psalms 97:12; [Psalms 33:1]
  • 23. Deuteronomy 32:43
  • 24. See Psalms 7:10

Footnotes 1

  • [a]. Hebrew my vitality was changed

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.

Psalms 32 Commentaries

The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.