Psalm 32
BSB
The Joy of Forgiveness
(Romans 4:1–12)
Of David. A Maskil.
1Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven,
whose sins are covered.
2Blessed is the man
whose iniquity the LORD does not count against him,
in whose spirit there is no deceit.
3When I kept silent, my bones became brittle
from my groaning all day long.
4For day and night
Your hand was heavy upon me;
my strength was drained
as in the summer heat.
Selah
5Then I acknowledged my sin to You
and did not hide my iniquity.
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,”
and You forgave the guilt of my sin.
Selah
6Therefore let all the godly pray to You
while You may be found.
Surely when great waters rise,
they will not come near.
7You are my hiding place.
You protect me from trouble;
You surround me with songs of deliverance.
Selah
8I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go;
I will give you counsel and watch over you.
9Do not be like the horse or mule,
which have no understanding;
they must be controlled with bit and bridle
to make them come to you.
10Many are the sorrows of the wicked,
but loving devotion surrounds him who trusts in the LORD.
11Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, O righteous ones;
shout for joy, all you upright in heart.
Introduction
Psalms 32
This psalm, though it speaks not of Christ, as many of the psalms we have hitherto met with have done, has yet a great deal of gospel in it. The apostle tells us that David, in this psalm, describes "the blessedness of the man unto whom God imputes righteousness without words," Rom 4:6. We have here a summary, I. Of gospel grace in the pardon of sin (Psa 32:1, Psa 32:2), in divine protection (Psa 32:7), and divine guidance (Psa 32:8). II. Of gospel duty. To confess sin (Psa 32:3-5), to pray (Psa 32:6), to govern ourselves well (Psa 32:9, Psa 32:10), and to rejoice in God (Psa 32:11). The way to obtain these privileges is to make conscience of these duties, which we ought to think of - of the former for our comfort, of the latter for our quickening, when we sing this psalm. Grotius thinks it was designed to be sung on the day of atonement.
A psalm of David, Maschil.
Cross-references: Rom 4:6 · Ps 32:1 · Ps 32:2 · Ps 32:7 · Ps 32:8 · Ps 32:3 · Ps 32:6 · Ps 32:9 · Ps 32:10 · Ps 32:11