Old Testament Commentary - Psalms 32

by Don R. Hender

Scriptural Text [& Editorial]	Commentary & Explanation	Footnotes ~ References ~ JST
CHAPTER 32 David says: Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity—He acknowledges his sin—He recommends that the righteous be glad in the Lord and rejoice.
A Psalm of David, Maschil.
1 ^aBLESSED is he whose ^btransgression is ^cforgiven, whose sin is covered. 2 Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity^a, and in whose spirit there is no ^aguile.	2^a the LORD imputeth not iniquity In the judgement afforded by the atonement the Lord will judge and imput unto man either his guilt for sin or the Lord's own righteousness to replace that man's sins and sinful nature. All men are fallen and sinful by nature, what seems to determine whether a man comes under the redeeming effects of the Lord's atonement and mercy is a man's true intentions of his heart followed by that man's sincere repentance and actions in living those commandments given him of God. As a part of this process it is a matter of the victory of the 'spirit' over the flesh, that man had learned to control the flesh and live according to the spirit of righteousness.
3 When 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 ^amoisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah.
5 I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will ^aconfess my ^btransgressions unto the LORD; and thou ^cforgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah. 6 For this shall every one that is ^agodly 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 ^ahiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.
8 I will instruct thee and ^ateach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. 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.
10 Many ^asorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that ^btrusteth 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.