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Matthew Henry

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

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

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 32:3

When I kept silence - Before I humbled myself, and confessed my sin, my soul was under the deepest horror. "I roared all the day long;" and felt the hand of God heavy upon my soul. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 32:3

Verse 3 3.When I kept silence, my bones wasted away. Here David confirms, by his own experience, the doctrine which he had laid down; namely, that when humbled under the hand of God, he felt that nothing was so miserable as to be deprived of his favor: by which he intimates, that this truth cannot be rightly understood until God has tried us with a feeling of his anger. Nor does he speak of a mere ordinary trial, but declares that he was entirely subdued with the extremest rigour. And... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 32:1-5

From great misery to greater blessedness. There can be little doubt that David composed this psalm after Nathan came to him. Psalms 51:1-19 . was the confession of his great sin, and the prayer for forgiveness. This is the record of the confession made and the forgiveness obtained, and the blessedness of his position as a son restored to his Father's house. I. THE GREATEST MISERY . 1 . The knowledge that we have sinned. That we have been guilty of one great sin leading on... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 32:1-11

The last word of the title, "Maschil," is thought to mean that the psalm was intended for instruction, warning, or admonition; the word maschil , or rather maskil , being formed from askil ," to instruct"—the opening word of the eighth verso—used also in Psalms 2:10 ; Psalms 53:2 , etc. There are thirteen psalms thus inscribed, all more or less of a didactic character. Rhythmically, the psalm seems to be composed of six strophes, each of two verses; but in the third... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 32:1-11

Divine forgiveness. This psalm is one of those historically established as David's. £ It has long been a favourite with the greatest saints, who are the very ones that own themselves the greatest sinners. Luther referred to it as one of his special psalms. So Dr. Chalmers, who, it is said, could scarcely read its first three verses without tears filling his eyes. The compression necessary to keep this work within moderate limits renders it impossible to do more than point out how it... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 32:3

When I kept silence ; i.e. so long as I did not acknowledge my sin—while I remained silent about it, quite aware that I hod sinned grievously, suffering in conscience, but not confessing it even to myself. The time spoken of is that which immediately followed the commission of the adultery, and which continued until Nathan uttered the words, "Thou art the man!" ( 2 Samuel 12:7 ). My bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long ; i.e. I suffered grievous pain, both bodily and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Psalms 32:3

Hindrances to confession of sin. "I kept silence." I. PRIDE . Men cannot bear to think themselves wrong—to put themselves down on the common level; still less, below those who have sought and obtained pardon. This pride is itself a great sin ( James 4:6 ; 1 Timothy 3:4 ), II. WANT OF HONESTY OF CONSCIENCE . Even proper self-respect should make one say, "Anything rather than self-deception! Let me know the truth of myself!" III. INDOLENCE . Many are busy... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 32:3

When I kept silence - The psalmist now proceeds to state his condition of mind before he himself found this peace, or before he had this evidence of pardon; the state in which he felt deeply that he was a sinner, yet was unwilling to confess his sin, and attempted to conceal it in his own heart. This he refers to by the expression, “When I kept silence;” that is, before I confessed my sin, or before I made mention of it to God. The condition of mind was evidently this: he had committed sin, but... read more

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