Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.
When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long.
For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah.
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.
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.
Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.
I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.
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.
Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the Lord, mercy shall compass him about.
Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.
Psalms 32, a Maskiyl (likely a psalm of instruction or contemplation), offers a profound reflection on the blessing of divine forgiveness. Coming on the heels of David's devastating sins of adultery and murder (chronicled in 2 Samuel 11-12), this psalm, in conjunction with Psalms 51, reveals the journey from agonizing guilt to liberating pardon. While Psalms 51 captures David's initial plea for mercy after being confronted by the prophet Nathan, Psalms 32 celebrates the relief and joy that follow genuine confession and forgiveness. This psalm serves as a powerful testament to God's grace and an encouragement for all believers to seek reconciliation with Him.
The Blessedness of Forgiveness (Psalms 32:1-2)
David begins by extolling the blessedness of those whose transgressions are forgiven and whose sins are covered. "Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered" (Psalms 32:1). The apostle Paul echoes this sentiment, reminding us that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). David's personal experience underscores the profound joy of knowing that God has pardoned our iniquity and chosen not to hold our sins against us. This isn't merely overlooking wrongdoing, but a complete removal of guilt and restoration of fellowship.
The Agony of Unconfessed Sin (Psalms 32:3-5)
David then vividly describes the torment he endured while refusing to acknowledge his sin. He writes, "For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer" (Psalms 32:3-4). This was not simply a medical issue, but a deep spiritual and emotional anguish stemming from the weight of unconfessed sin. His bones ached, his groaning filled the air, and his strength was sapped. This illustrates the crucial connection between unaddressed sin, our physical and emotional well-being, and a fractured relationship with God.
However, this agony was not without purpose. God's conviction, though unpleasant, is an act of His mercy (Hebrews 12:6). Forcing us to confront our sin leads to repentance, restoration, and spiritual growth (1 John 1:8–10). Finally, David acknowledges, "I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin" (Psalms 32:5). Confession before God brings immediate relief. When we acknowledge our sins and repent, those who sincerely seek God can anticipate being forgiven (John 3:36).
An Invitation to Seek God (Psalms 32:6-7)
Having experienced such profound mercy, David calls on all believers to seek God in prayer. He urges, "Therefore let everyone who is godly offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found; surely in the rush of great waters, they shall not reach him" (Psalms 32:6). We should pray to God immediately. When we are engulfed in floodwaters of distress, we need to go to God without delay in confession and repentance. David testifies, "You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance" (Psalms 32:7). Like Noah, who found refuge from the flood by obeying God, we can find God as our hiding place, a place of protection from trouble.
The Path of Wisdom (Psalms 32:8-9)
The voice shifts, and we hear either David, or perhaps even God Himself, offering guidance. "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you" (Psalms 32:8-9). True wisdom begins with acknowledging God's truth (Proverbs 1:7). Resisting good counsel is foolish and leads to more suffering. We must not be stubborn, like animals that need to be forced to obey, but willingly submit to God's guidance.
Rejoicing in the Lord (Psalms 32:10-11)
The psalm concludes with a call to rejoice. "Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord. Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!" (Psalms 32:10-11). Compared to those who stubbornly refuse to admit their sin, humble and godly people have every reason to rejoice in God. Forgiveness not only restores our relationship with God but also fills our hearts with joy. The wicked who refuse to repent will have many pains, but the one who trusts God will be immersed in his faithful love and can shout for joy.
Therefore, when the call to repentance comes, don't hesitate. Confess your sins specifically, agree with God's assessment of them, appeal to His grace and mercy for forgiveness, and anticipate the return of the joy of your salvation.
Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.
When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long.
For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah.
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.
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.
Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.
I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.
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.
Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the Lord, mercy shall compass him about.
Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.
Psalms 32, a Maskiyl (likely a psalm of instruction or contemplation), offers a profound reflection on the blessing of divine forgiveness. Coming on the heels of David's devastating sins of adultery and murder (chronicled in 2 Samuel 11-12), this psalm, in conjunction with Psalms 51, reveals the journey from agonizing guilt to liberating pardon. While Psalms 51 captures David's initial plea for mercy after being confronted by the prophet Nathan, Psalms 32 celebrates the relief and joy that follow genuine confession and forgiveness. This psalm serves as a powerful testament to God's grace and an encouragement for all believers to seek reconciliation with Him.
The Blessedness of Forgiveness (Psalms 32:1-2)
David begins by extolling the blessedness of those whose transgressions are forgiven and whose sins are covered. "Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered" (Psalms 32:1). The apostle Paul echoes this sentiment, reminding us that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). David's personal experience underscores the profound joy of knowing that God has pardoned our iniquity and chosen not to hold our sins against us. This isn't merely overlooking wrongdoing, but a complete removal of guilt and restoration of fellowship.
The Agony of Unconfessed Sin (Psalms 32:3-5)
David then vividly describes the torment he endured while refusing to acknowledge his sin. He writes, "For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer" (Psalms 32:3-4). This was not simply a medical issue, but a deep spiritual and emotional anguish stemming from the weight of unconfessed sin. His bones ached, his groaning filled the air, and his strength was sapped. This illustrates the crucial connection between unaddressed sin, our physical and emotional well-being, and a fractured relationship with God.
However, this agony was not without purpose. God's conviction, though unpleasant, is an act of His mercy (Hebrews 12:6). Forcing us to confront our sin leads to repentance, restoration, and spiritual growth (1 John 1:8–10). Finally, David acknowledges, "I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,” and you forgave the iniquity of my sin" (Psalms 32:5). Confession before God brings immediate relief. When we acknowledge our sins and repent, those who sincerely seek God can anticipate being forgiven (John 3:36).
An Invitation to Seek God (Psalms 32:6-7)
Having experienced such profound mercy, David calls on all believers to seek God in prayer. He urges, "Therefore let everyone who is godly offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found; surely in the rush of great waters, they shall not reach him" (Psalms 32:6). We should pray to God immediately. When we are engulfed in floodwaters of distress, we need to go to God without delay in confession and repentance. David testifies, "You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance" (Psalms 32:7). Like Noah, who found refuge from the flood by obeying God, we can find God as our hiding place, a place of protection from trouble.
The Path of Wisdom (Psalms 32:8-9)
The voice shifts, and we hear either David, or perhaps even God Himself, offering guidance. "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you" (Psalms 32:8-9). True wisdom begins with acknowledging God's truth (Proverbs 1:7). Resisting good counsel is foolish and leads to more suffering. We must not be stubborn, like animals that need to be forced to obey, but willingly submit to God's guidance.
Rejoicing in the Lord (Psalms 32:10-11)
The psalm concludes with a call to rejoice. "Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord. Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!" (Psalms 32:10-11). Compared to those who stubbornly refuse to admit their sin, humble and godly people have every reason to rejoice in God. Forgiveness not only restores our relationship with God but also fills our hearts with joy. The wicked who refuse to repent will have many pains, but the one who trusts God will be immersed in his faithful love and can shout for joy.
Therefore, when the call to repentance comes, don't hesitate. Confess your sins specifically, agree with God's assessment of them, appeal to His grace and mercy for forgiveness, and anticipate the return of the joy of your salvation.