Psalm 32: Blessings from God

Of David. A maskil.

[Preliminary Comments:  This is one of three psalms designated a ‘maskil’ and there are various others designated as maskils of individuals. There is uncertainty over the meaning but it is suggested that is means ‘a psalm of understanding’ i.e. one that reveals theological truths.

 We haven’t read of ‘blessings’ since Psa 1 & 2, and now they occur in this and the next two psalms before more references in Psa 40 & 41. Verses 1 & 2 really summarize what the rest of the psalm is about – the blessings that come from God with forgiveness and cleansing. See end notes.]

v.1,2 Blessings that come with forgiveness

v.1 Blessed is the one
    whose transgressions are forgiven,
    whose sins are covered.
v.2 Blessed is the one
    whose sin the Lord does not count against them
    and in whose spirit is no deceit.

v.3-5 The order of blessing: silence, pressure from God, conviction, forgiveness

v.3 When I kept silent,
    my bones wasted away
    through my groaning all day long.
v.4 For day and night
    your hand was heavy on me;
my strength was sapped
    as in the heat of summer.

v.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.

v.6,7 Prayer is the pathway to God, and then relationship that protects

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

v.8,9 The Lord speaks: with that relationship comes teaching and discipline

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

v.10,11 Love flows to the one who trusts the Lord bringing much rejoicing

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

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

[Additional Thoughts: A relationship with the Lord flows with forgiveness [v.1,2] that follows repentance expressed in prayer [v.3-5]. The forgiven life is a blessed life [v.1,2]. We can remain silent and distant from the Lord but life presses in and wears us down and it is then that the wise repent of their isolation [v.3-5]. It is then that forgiveness flows and a whole new relationship with the Lord opens up that brings a new security [v.6,7]. Within that the Lord imparts teaching and discipline [v.8,9] to lead us in a new way of living that opens up the door to receive all of His love in a life of righteousness and rejoicing [v.10,11]. NB. ’Righteousness’ is simply living as God reveals and that brings the blessing.

After perhaps going back and meditating on individual verses, now read it meaningfully out loud straight through

1 Blessed is the one
    whose transgressions are forgiven,
    whose sins are covered.
2 Blessed is the one
    whose sin the Lord does not count against them
    and in whose spirit is no deceit.

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.

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!

For those who may wish to make a study of this chapter, to perhaps think some more about what you have been reading, use the link below: