Psalms 32:3-11

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.

6 Therefore let all the faithful pray to you while you may be found; surely the rising of the mighty waters will not reach them.

7 You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.

8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.

9 Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you.

10 Many are the woes of the wicked, but the LORD’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in him.

11 Rejoice in the LORD and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!

Psalms 32:3-11 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

• 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
• 10. Psalms 69:13; Isaiah 55:6
• 11. S Exodus 15:10
• 12. Psalms 69:1
• 13. Isaiah 43:2
• 14. S Judges 9:35
• 15. S Psalms 9:9
• 16. S Judges 5:1; Exodus 15:1
• 17. S Psalms 25:8
• 18. Psalms 34:11
• 19. Psalms 33:18
• 20. S Job 30:11; S Job 39:10; James 3:3; Proverbs 26:3
• 21. Romans 2:9
• 22. Psalms 4:5; Proverbs 16:20
• 23. Psalms 64:10

Footnotes

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