Psalm 32
A Psalm of David, Mas’-chil. (Meditation)
Ps 32:1-2
“…Ps 32 is a didactic Psalm, concerning the way of penitence which leads to the forgiveness of sins; it is the second of the seven Psalmi paenitentiales of the church, and Augustine’s favourite Psalm. We might take Augustine’s words as its motto: intelligentia prima est ut te noris peccatorem m (the
beginning of knowledge is to know oneself to be a sinner). The poet bases it upon his own personal experience, and then applies the general teaching which he deduces from it, to each individual in the church of God. For a whole year after his adultery David was like one under sentence of
condemnation. In the midst of this fearful anguish of soul he composed Ps 51, whereas Ps 32 was composed after his deliverance from this state of mind. The former was written in the very midst of the penitential struggle; the latter after he had recovered his inward peace. The theme of this Psalm is the precious treasure which he brought up out of that abyss of spiritual distress, viz., the doctrine of the blessedness of forgiveness, the sincere and unreserved confession of sin as the way to it, and the protection of God in every danger, together with joy in God, as its fruits.” (from Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament: New Updated Edition, Electronic Database. Copyright (c) 1996 by Hendrickson Publishers, Inc.)
It is said that Augustine often read this Psalm and wept as he read. The words are the powerful reflections of a man who has faced his sins honestly before God and successfully (by Grace) moved to a place of Justification, Right Standing, before God. We are confident of this because Paul quoted him in his own defense of Justification by Faith in Romans chapter 4.
There is a deep sense of responsibility this writer feels to make any comment at all on this powerful reflection of a truly redeemed soul.
1 Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
Literally, all of the blessings that God has for His child are both given and secured to the truly penitent soul. Nothing is held back from him that Jesus Christ purchased in His Great Work. David’s words are the most profound of understatements, such that that a library has been written attempting to describe these blessings. History is replete with the efforts of man to catalog all of this “Blessed”ness.
2 Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.
Two more profound thoughts are here. First, David considered the Great Accounting System of God in which is written the Eternal Legal Standing of every soul. He reflected on the certainty that for the one whose sins were covered and whose transgression were forgiven, there is not a single entry in the record to condemn him. All of that had been transferred to the Account of Jesus Christ and fully paid on The Cross.
Next, he considered the nature of the Redeemed spirit, called “The New Man” by the apostle Paul. There is no deceit, no double dealing, no hiding and no counterfeiting in the nature of the one who has been “born from above.” This one deals honestly with self, with man and, most importantly, with God concerning all things but especially concerning sin, particularly one’s own sins.
3 Then I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long. 4 For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah.
He reflected on the powerful nature of Genuine Conviction of Sin, a doctrine almost lost to the Evangelical Church in the 21st century. This agony has been well documented in the writings of the saints across the centuries if one cares to research it.
This is a reality from which most shrink and many minimize but the soul shredding Work of the Spirit of God to convince a man that the truths of Rom 3:10-19 are true is well known to every true saint. By the way, most of that passage was nothing but quotations from David.
It is no wonder that David added the “Selah” here for every soul that would know God must walk through this fiery furnace which rips away all of one’s facade and devours all defenses against the Accusations of the Justice of the Almighty.
5 I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.
What a standalone! What a mighty doctrine is contained here! Repentance involves the confession of all known sin. Those who would reduce repentance to a mere acknowledgment of sin fail mightily to consider the implications here. What is it to do a complete and mighty job of this task? It would, of necessity, be far more than “O Lord, I confess that I am a sinner.” Only by the honest review of a soul that has been granted Soul Integrity by God can the mind of a human become truly convinced
of the depth of his wickedness, and it is only the soul that is so convinced who can truly repent.
Reader: please do not leave this text without it becoming a Reality in your own soul.
6 For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him. 7 Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.
David knew that God is not a beggar following one around for the slightest recognition and then gleefully rewarding that tiny nod of the head in His direction with the reward of everlasting life.
He is the Sovereign Lord of the Universe and at times, “when thou maysest be found,” He may draw near to a man. The godly seize such moments to do business with Him and for them He becomes their Hiding Place, their Fortress to defend them from Trouble, their Deliverer.
Then, the Psalmist turned his attention to his audience. The essence of it is, “walk the path I just described for yourself.”
8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.
The one truly willing to be instructed will be taught, will find guidance.
9 Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.
Dealing stupidly with God is a path with only one certain end, Destruction.
10 Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the LORD, mercy shall compass him about. 11 Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.
Those who walk the road that David walked, the road of Repentance and Faith, and only those shall know the truth of, “mercy shall compass him about.”
May the Lord bless you, dear Reader, and grant you True Repentance of All of Your Sins.
Larry W Dean