Psalm 32:1-11

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 32:1-6

This psalm is entitled Maschil, which some take to be only the name of the tune to which it was set and was to be sung. But others think it is significant; our margin reads it, A psalm of David giving instruction, and there is nothing in which we have more need of instruction than in the nature of true blessedness, wherein it consists and the way that leads to it?what we must do that we may be happy. There are several things in which these verses instruct us. In general, we are here taught... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Psalms 32:7-11

David is here improving the experience he had had of the comfort of pardoning mercy. I. He speaks to God, and professes his confidence in him and expectation from him, Ps. 32:7. Having tasted the sweetness of divine grace to a penitent sinner, he cannot doubt of the continuance of that grace to a praying saint, and that in that grace he should find both safety and joy. 1. Safety: ?Thou art my hiding-place; when by faith I have recourse to thee I see all the reason in the world to be easy, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 32:1

Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven ,.... Or "lifted up" F13 Verbum נשא "elevavit quaudoque idem est ac condonavit", Gejerus; נשוי "ablata est", Piscator, Cocceius. ; bore and carried away: sin is a transgression of the law; the guilt of it charged upon the conscience of a sinner is a heavy burden, too heavy for him to bear, and the punishment of it is intolerable: forgiveness is a removal of sin, guilt, and punishment. Sin was first taken off, and transferred from... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 32:2

Blessed is the man to whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity ,.... Or "does not think of it" F14 יחשב "cogitat", Piscator; "cogitando reputavit", Gejerus; so Ainsworth. ; with respect unto men, at least to the harm of them; his thoughts are thoughts of peace, and not of evil; their sins and iniquities he remembers no more; he does not charge them with them, he does not reckon them, or place them to their account, having imputed them to his Son; see 2 Corinthians 5:19 . The Apostle... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 32:3

When I kept silence ,.... Was unthoughtful of sin, unconcerned about it, and made no acknowledgment and confession of it to God, being quite senseless and stupid; the Targum adds, "from the words of the law"; which seems to point at sin as the cause of what follows; my bones waxed old; through my roaring all the day long ; not under a sense of sin, but under some severe affliction, and through impatience in it; not considering that sin lay at the bottom, and was the occasion of it; and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 32:4

For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me ,.... Meaning the afflicting hand of God, which is not joyous, but grievous, and heavy to be borne; especially without his gracious presence, and the discoveries of his love: this continued night and day, without any intermission; and may design some violent distemper; perhaps a fever; since it follows, my moisture is turned into the drought of summer . That is, the radical moisture in him was almost dried up, as brooks in the summer season;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 32:5

I acknowledged my sin unto thee ,.... The sin of Adam, in which he was concerned; original sin, the corruption of his nature, the sin that dwelt in him, his private and secret sins, which none knew but God and himself; even all his sins, which were many, with all their aggravated circumstances; wherefore he uses various words to express them by, in this and the following clauses; as "sin", "iniquity", and "transgressions"; the same that are used in the doctrine of pardon in the preceding... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 32:6

For this shall everyone that is godly pray unto thee ,.... Meaning either that the success he had met with, in acknowledging his sin, would encourage others also to take a like step, and make their supplications to the Lord also; or that every godly person should pray to God for the same blessing of pardoning grace likewise. Pardon of sin is to be prayed for; not only Moses, David, Daniel, and other Old Testament saints, prayed for it; but Christ has directed his disciples and followers,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 32:7

Thou art my hiding place ,.... In time of trouble; see Psalm 27:5 ; so Christ is said to be, Isaiah 32:2 . "Thou shall preserve me from trouble"; not from having it; for in this world the saints must have tribulation, and through it enter the kingdom, but from being swallowed up with it; the Lord will bring them safe out of it, and of them it shall be said, "these are they that came out of great tribulation", Revelation 7:14 ; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Psalms 32:8

I will instruct thee ,.... Or "cause thee to understand" F17 אשכילך "intellectum tibi dabo", V. L. Musculus; "intelligere faciam te", Pagninus, Montanus; so Ainsworth. . These are by many thought to be the words of the Lord, who gives to a man an understanding of spiritual things; he instructs by his providence, and even by afflictive dispensations of providence; and by his word, which is written for the learning of men, and is profitable for doctrine and instruction in... read more

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