Psalm 32:4

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 32:4

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 Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Psalms 32:4

Verse 4 4.For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me. In this verse he explains more fully whence such heavy grief arose; namely, because he felt the hand of God to be sore against him. The greatest of all afflictions is to be so heavily pressed with the hand of God, that the sinner feels he has to do with a Judge whose indignation and severity involve in them many deaths, besides eternal death. David, accordingly, complains that his moisture was dried up, not merely from simply meditating on... 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 32:4

For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me . David sees now that his sufferings at this time came from God, and were a part of the punishment of his sin. They continued without intermission both by day and by night. His conscience was never wholly at rest. My moisture is turned into the drought of summer; literally, my sap was changed through summer drought ; i.e. the vital principle, which had been strong in him, was changed—burnt up and exhausted—by the heat of God's wrath. read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Psalms 32:4

For day and night - I found no relief even at night. The burden was constant, and was insupportable.Thy hand was heavy upon me - Thy hand seemed to press me down. It weighed upon me. See Job 13:21; Psalms 39:10. It was the remembrance of guilt that troubled him, but that seemed to him to be the hand of God. It was God who brought that guilt to his recollection; and God “kept” the recollection of it before his mind, and on his heart and conscience, so that he could not throw it off.My moisture -... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Psalms 32:3-5

Psalms 32:3-5 . When I kept silence Namely, from a full and open confession of my sins, and from pouring out my soul to God in serious and fervent prayers for pardon and peace. My bones waxed old My spirits failed, and the strength of my body decayed; through my roaring all the day long Because of the continual horrors of my conscience, and sense of God’s wrath, wherewith I was, as yet, rather oppressed and overwhelmed than brought to a thorough repentance. For thy hand was heavy upon... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Psalms 32:1-11

Psalms 32:0 The joy of the forgiven sinnerWhen people are honest with God and confess their sin to him, they experience the unspeakable joy of knowing that their sin is forgiven (1-2). If, however, instead of acknowledging their sin they try to push it out of the mind, they only create greater distress and tension for themselves. This can lead to a falling away in physical health (3-4). But when confession is made, forgiveness follows, the burden of the mind is removed, and people enjoy afresh... read more

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