Psalm Chapter 32

A Psalm of David, Maschil.

Psalm 32:1 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.

Notice here the hope of sin being forgiven. A blessing is offered to those who the Lord forgives sin and pardons iniquity. God knows that all mankind is under the bondage of sin. Unless it is an innocent child who is not old enough to be accountable for his or her actions, we all have sinned at one time or another. Sin brings spiritual death. Sin entering the world also brought forth the death of the body. The body returns to the dust from which it was made originally. The soul and spirit within us does not die but can be lost forever if we die in our sins and do not receive God's way of salvation.

The penalty of sin is death of the body and soul. God offers a way to be free from sin and be forgiven of sin. That is why God sent Jesus Christ to us. The blood of animals offered as an offering of sin in the Old Testament pointed toward the day when the only sacrifice for sin was made once and for all.

This sacrifice would be sufficient to not only provide forgiveness of sin but provide a way for all who believe to be free from the curse of the law. The law shows us that all have sinned and need a sacrifice for that sin. Jesus became that sacrifice when He died on the cross for all of our sins. Since Jesus did not sin Himself, His death counts for all who believe in Him.

God will not force Himself upon us. That is why He sent Jesus to offer us a way to escape sin and have eternal life. We have to receive this and believe this by repenting or turning away from sin. When that happens, we become "born again." We start over sinless and with a new life. The Holy Spirit abides within us at that point on.

When we continue to seek God and study His word, the Holy Spirit will guide us into all truth. The Holy Spirit keeps us from going back into the sin we came out of. This doesn't mean that we can't sin, it means that we don't have to sin. We still have a free choice whether or not to obey the word of God or go back into the bondage of sin. Nothing is forced upon us. We can accept or reject Jesus Christ and His gift of salvation and eternal life. In order to receive this though we must renounce sin and live for God from then on.

Psalm 32:3 When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long.

This is a picture of a soul that is still struggling with sin and has not overcome it by trusting in God's salvation.

Psalm 32:4 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.

This will make a difference. When we acknowledge to God that we have sinned, and turn from sin, our sins are forgiven and we start anew.

1John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

The only thing that keeps all mankind from being free from sin is that they refuse to acknowledge that they have sinned and when they do acknowledge it, they do not repent of sin but prefer to hold on to it.

In summary, it is unbelief that hinders our salvation.

Unbelief in Jesus Christ as the only way of salvation.
Unbelief that all have sinned and need salvation.
Unbelief that Jesus has the power not only to forgive sins but remove our sins.

Unbelief keeps us from having eternal life in Heaven.

Psalm 32:6 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.

The godly will surely pray and seek God. That is what makes them godly. The ungodly does not pray, does not seek God and does not acknowledge His word.

Psalm 32:7 Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.

God becomes a continual refuge for all who trust in Him.

Psalm 32:8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.

God's Spirit, the Holy Spirit is our teacher. He will teach us the right way but we must be willing to yield to His spirit and listen. The Holy Spirit will not change, add to or take away from the written word of God, the bible. The Holy Spirit will help us understand the bible. The Holy Spirit will always lead us to Jesus Christ. The emphasis of salvation will always be through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit will never instruct us any different. If any way of salvation is taught apart from Jesus Christ, then it is not the Holy Spirit doing the teaching.

Psalm 32:9 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.

Those that refuse the good way of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ are like those who are like horses or mules who do not know the way.

Psalm 32:10 Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the LORD, mercy shall compass him about.

Many sorrows surely will come upon the wicked. Even though it may seem that the wicked prosper, they really will not yield the fruits of everlasting life and everlasting joy that a believer will inherit.

Psalm 32:11 Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.

Always be mindful of these good things and rejoice in the Lord. When God occupies our thoughts and desires, there is peace and joy daily. His presence is always with those that acknowledge Him. To acknowledge God is to be mindful of His word and have a determination to follow Him where He may lead. DC

Psalm 33

Psalm Index