Psalms 32
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary 10 verses
Introduction
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. (Psa 32:1-11)
(Compare Rom 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 32:2
imputeth--charge to him, and treat him accordingly.
no guile--or, deceit, no false estimate of himself, nor insincerity before God (compare Rom 8:1).
Psalms 32:3
A vivid description of felt, but unacknowledged, sin.
When--literally, "for," as in Psa 32:4.
Psalms 32:4
thy hand--of God, or power in distressing him (Psa 38:2).
moisture--vital juices of the body, the parching heat of which expresses the anguish of the soul. On the other figures, compare Psa 6:2, Psa 6:7; Psa 31:9-11. If composed on the occasion of the fifty-first Psalm, this distress may have been protracted for several months.
Psalms 32:5
A prompt fulfilment of the purposed confession is followed by a prompt forgiveness.
Psalms 32:6
For this--that is, my happy experience.
godly--pious in the sense of Psa 4:3.
a time-- (Isa 55:6); when God's Spirit inclines us to seek pardon, He is ready to forgive.
floods, &c.--denotes great danger (Psa 18:17; Psa 66:12).
Psalms 32:7
His experience illustrates the statement of Psa 32:6.
Psalms 32:8
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
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
The sorrows of the impenitent contrasted with the peace and safety secured by God's mercy.
Psalms 32:11
The righteous and upright, or those conforming to the divine teaching for securing the divine blessing, may well rejoice with shouting.
Next: Psalms Chapter 33