Psalm 32 (Part one)

Introduction This Psalm is attributed to David. It could have been written by David in the times that he considered his greatest of sins before the prophet Nathan came to declare “thou art the man”. But I really think that this Psalm was written afterwards as a compliment of Psalms 51. How could David who had seen the loving kindness of God be content to write just one Psalm about the forgiveness of his sins? Surely David was overwhelmed by his guilt and also overjoyed by the forgiveness shown to him by God.

There are many lessons that Christians today can learn from this Psalm as well as many others written in the Bible. As the apostle Paul wrote to the Romans; “the things written beforehand were written for our instruction” (15:4). And consider also what Paul wrote to young Timothy; “All scripture is given by inspiration and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness.” (2 Timothy 3:16)

A Maskil “The last word of the title, “Maschil,” is thought to mean that the psalm was intended for instruction, warning, or admonition; The word maschil, or rather maskil, being formed from askil, “to instruct” is taken from the first word of the eighth verse” Maskil is used in other psalms to convey they same thought. This is a training manual for others to follow.

1How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven,  Whose sin is covered! 2 How blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity,  And in whose spirit there is no deceit!

Too often the Christian fails to appreciate the importance of the forgiveness of sins. Too often we rely upon our own righteousness and our constant effort to live righteously before God, that we forget that we are sinful people, and in a sense we are by nature, “children of wrath”. Whereas the Christian has turned around a great deal of this wrath into a sense of duty towards God, we all are foolish or naïve to admit we have no sin. The apostle John warned us about declaring our non-sin in 1 John 1: 8 and 10.

Our sins have been covered with the blanket of propitiation to hide our sins from the presence and view of God. But that does not mean we can continue in sin. As a result, I am able to have a relationship to God as a child does with a loving father. Having the security of His strength to envelope me, I have confidence that my Father will provide all that I need. A blessing almost beyond comprehension, but simple enough to realize, that all may come to know the joy of experiencing it.

Yes we are sinners, but we are also forgiven sinners and there is a huge difference in the two. Many fail to recognize the great sacrifice made on behalf of all mankind was done primarily for ME. God looked down upon ME with mercy and loving kindness and sent His Son to die for ME. Through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus my transgression is forgiven, and thankfully forgotten by God.

We also seemingly fail to recognize that our iniquities have been removed from us, and we fail to see the great blessing that this provides for us. For the apostle John tells us that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5). No darkness can enter the presence of God. Sin and those in sin cannot have a relationship with Him.

We must also acknowledge that we are not perfect either, even though God wants us to be. This is why we need His grace and why we need to be diligent to be found in Him blameless (without iniquity). Our inner man/person is to be found spotless and blameless. This can only be accomplished with the blood of Jesus, which we access, by faithful obedience. When we truly realize the blessings involved in having our sins forgiven, we are overwhelmed by a joy that is almost inexpressible, but also available to anyone who so chooses (2 Timothy 4:8).

3 When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away  Through my groaning all day long. 4 For day and night Thy hand was heavy upon me;  My vitality was drained away as with the fever heat of summer. Selah.

When we sin, we usually know it. We understand that God is not pleased and if we will not turn from the wrong way, we will lose our souls. As long as we recognize our sin, and do nothing to seek forgiveness, that burden weighs us down. A tremendous guilt will cause our soul to languish and our bodies to wither away.

Guilt will cause us to lose our appetite, and we will not be motivated to seek our better welfare, because down deep, we know we are not worthy. Whether we realize it or not, our body groans in pangs and steadily collapses into despair (Job 24:12; Psalm 38:8; 2 Corinthians 5:2,4). It seems that everything goes wrong and that the world is looking upon me and causing me great shame. But God be thanked that we Christians have an Advocate that responds on our behalf (1 John 2:1,2).

It is still up to us to repent of our sins and turn from them, and the blood of Jesus will cleanse us of our sins. (1 John 1:7,9). If we do not turn from our sins, they will carry us into a condition whereby our return is almost impossible (Hebrews 6:5,6). So it is best to acknowledge and confess our sins to God, and if you think it would help, to confess your sins to other Christians who would be able to sympathize with you as Christ can do also (Hebrews 4:15,16).

Conclusion of Part One Psalm 32 Have your transgressions been forgiven? If not, you had better see to it before it is too late. Have you been wasting your life away? If so, you had better see to it before it is too late.