Psalm 32:1-7 Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Since the time of , seven of the psalms have borne the name of Penitential; namely, 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, 143. They were used in the special additional services appointed for Lent, and were selected with reference to the sprinkling of the leper seven times, and to the command to Naaman to wash himself seven times in the Jordan; or, as others say, as corresponding to the seven deadly sins. These psalms are not all expressions of contrition for personal sin; nevertheless, they all recognize sin as the source of corruption and trouble. We may find in them every element of a true repentance according to the Gospel standard. They reveal — I. A RECOGNITION OF THE RADICAL NATURE OF SIN. This is especially marked in the 51st. There we find the confession of a sinful nature as well as of sinful acts; the ever-living consciousness that God looks at the heart and not merely at the deed. II. THE FEELING OF THE BURDEN AND SORROW OF SIN (Psalm 6:2, 3; Psalm 32:3, 4; Psalm 38:2-10; Psalm 102:9, 10; Psalm 51:3). III. CONFESSION OF SIN. This involves our viewing the sin in the same way in which God views it. IV. REPENTANCE FURTHER INVOLVES CONDUCT. The prayer for pardoning grace is accompanied with the petitions, "Cause me to know the way wherein I should walk, Teach me to do Thy will" (Psalm 143:8-10). Sinful associations are renounced, and the workers of iniquity are bidden to depart (Psalm 6:8). V. REPENTANCE ISSUES IN INSTRUCTION. David, having been forgiven, says, "I will instruct thee and teach thee" (Psalm 32:8, 9). When God's face shall be hidden from my sins, and a clean heart shall be given me, "then will I teach transgressors thy ways" (Psalm 51:18-15). VI. REPENTANCE ISSUES IN JOY. It is the joy of forgiveness. The man is not blessed who can forget his sins; who can divert his mind from them; who can temporarily escape their consequences. "Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven." "Thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin." From this point, the psalm is all joy. "Thy hand was heavy upon me," but now I lean upon it, and it leads me into green pastures and folds me to a Father's heart. I fear not the "floods of great waters" now. "Thou art my hiding-place," Thou from whom I strove of late to hide. Thy word, sharper than any two-edged sword, pierced me with a thousand pangs; but now "I hope in Thy word." I remembered Thee and was troubled; but now "Thou shalt preserve me from trouble." Thou, from whose voice I fled, Thou, whose heavy hand dried up the springs of song in me, Thou shalt fence me about with songs. VII. REPENTANCE ISSUES IN WARNING. This is powerfully brought out in Psalm 32:9. The bridle which restrains the beast is often its ornament. The fact is familiar that animals have a kind of pride in the gaudy trappings which are the signs of their degradation, the proofs that they cannot be appealed to on the grounds of reason and conscience. So it is often true that a sinful man is proud of his rebellion against God, and boasts of it. If he but knew it, this is his humiliation. It stamps him as a creature which does not realize its relations to God and eternity. God would gladly deal with him as a free man, on generous terms; but if he refuses the guidance of the eye, he must take up with bit and bridle. If men will not come nigh unto God, and fall in with His gracious economy, they must be sternly restrained from interfering with it. (M. R. Vincent, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: {A Psalm of David, Maschil.} Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.WEB: Blessed is he whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is covered. |
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