Psalms 32
King James Version (KJV) · English
1 Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. 2 Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile. 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 moisture 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 confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah. 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. 8 I will instruct thee and teach 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 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.
Commentary — not Bible text
Psalms 32:1-2
PSALM 32
Psa 32:1-11. Maschil--literally, "giving instruction." The Psalmist describes the blessings of His forgiveness, succeeding the pains of conviction, and deduces from his own experience instruction and exhortation to others.
1-2. (Compare Ro 4:6).
forgiven--literally, "taken away," opposed to retain (Joh 20:23).
covered--so that God no longer regards the sin (Psa 85:3).
Psalms 32:3-4
3-4. A vivid description of felt, but unacknowledged, sin.
When--literally, "for," as in Psa 32:4.
Psalms 32:5
5. A prompt fulfilment of the purposed confession is followed by a prompt forgiveness.
Psalms 32:6
Psalms 32:7
7. His experience illustrates the statement of Psa 32:6.
Psalms 32:8
8. Whether, as most likely, the language of David (compare Psa 51:13), or that of God, this is a promise of divine guidance.
I will ... mine eye--or, My eye shall be on thee, watching and directing thy way.
Psalms 32:9
9. The latter clause, more literally, "in that they come not near thee"; that is, because they will not come, &c., unless forced by bit and bridle.
Psalms 32:10
10. The sorrows of the impenitent contrasted with the peace and safety secured by God's mercy.
Psalms 32:11
11. The righteous and upright, or those conforming to the divine teaching for securing the divine blessing, may well rejoice with shouting.
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