Psalm 32 - Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

32:1-2

Psalm 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.

(Compare Romans 4:6).

forgiven — literally, “taken away,” opposed to retain (John 20:23).

covered — so that God no longer regards the sin (Psalm 85:3).

32:2

imputeth — charge to him, and treat him accordingly.

no guile — or, deceit, no false estimate of himself, nor insincerity before God (compare Romans 8:1).

32:3-4

A vivid description of felt, but unacknowledged, sin.

When — literally, “for,” as in Psalm 32:4.

32:4

thy hand — of God, or power in distressing him (Psalm 38:2).

moisture — vital juices of the body, the parching heat of which expresses the anguish of the soul. On the other figures, compare Psalm 6:2, Psalm 6:7; Psalm 31:9-11. If composed on the occasion of the fifty-first Psalm, this distress may have been protracted for several months.

32:5

A prompt fulfillment of the purposed confession is followed by a prompt forgiveness.

32:6

For this — that is, my happy experience.

godly — pious in the sense of Psalm 4:3.

a time — (Isaiah 55:6); when God‘s Spirit inclines us to seek pardon, He is ready to forgive.

floods, etc. — denotes great danger (Psalm 18:17; Psalm 66:12).

32:7

His experience illustrates the statement of Psalm 32:6.

32:8

Whether, as most likely, the language of David (compare Psalm 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.

32:9

The latter clause, more literally, “in that they come not near thee”; that is, because they will not come, etc., unless forced by bit and bridle.

32:10

The sorrows of the impenitent contrasted with the peace and safety secured by God‘s mercy.

32:11

The righteous and upright, or those conforming to the divine teaching for securing the divine blessing, may well rejoice with shouting.