"THE BOOK OF PSALMS"

Psalm 32 - The Blessedness Of Confessing Sin

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS PSALM
  1. To note the connection between this psalm and Psalm 51
  2. To observe the use and possible meaning of the word "Maschil"
  3. To be impressed with the importance of confessing our sins to God
SUMMARY

This psalm was written by David (cf. Ro 4:6-8) and is generally thought to have been composed after he received forgiveness in the matter of Bathsheba (cf. 2Sa 11:1-12:15). In seeking forgiveness, he had promised to "teach transgressors Your ways" (cf. Ps 51:13), and with this psalm he fulfilled his promise. The heading calls this psalm a "Maschil", possibly meaning a poem of contemplation or meditation. It certainly qualifies as a didactic or instructive psalm (cf. Ps 32:8).

It begins with stating the blessedness or joy of forgiveness, where the Lord does not count one's sins against him, and in whose spirit there is no guile (1-2). What led David to this conclusion was first the curse of remaining silent, in which he experienced both physical and emotional stress. This was partly due to the guilt of sin itself, but David also mentions the chastening hand of the Lord upon him (3-4).

But then he confessed his sin to the Lord, and the Lord forgave him. This prompts Dave to bless (speak well of) God as a source of protection easily found by the godly in time of trouble, Who will surround him with songs of deliverance (5-7).

The psalm ends with David (though some think it is God speaking) offering to instruct and teach one in the way he should go (cf. Psa 51:13). With a caution not to be like the mule or horse which lacks understanding and must be drawn near, David contrasts the sorrows of the wicked with the mercy that will surround him who puts his trust in the Lord. This ought to cause the righteous to be glad in the Lord, and the upright in heart to shout for joy (8-11).

OUTLINE
  1. THE JOY OF FORGIVENESS (32:1-2)
    1. THE BLESSED MAN (1-2a)
      1. Is the one whose transgression is forgiven
      2. Is the one whose sin is covered
      3. Is the one to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity
    2. THE GUILELESS MAN (2)
      1. Is the one whose sins have been forgiven as described
      2. In whose spirit there is no deceit (for he has nothing to hide!) - cf. Re 14:5
  2. THE CURSE OF SILENCE (32:3-4)
    1. SUFFERING THE EFFECTS OF SIN (3)
      1. The psalmist remained silent about his sin
      2. The psalmist groaned all day long, his bones wasting away
    2. EXPERIENCING THE CHASTISEMENT OF THE LORD (4)
      1. The heavy hand of the Lord was upon him day and night - cf. Psa 38:1-11; 39:10-11
      2. His strength sapped as in the heat of summer
  3. THE BENEFIT OF CONFESSION (32:5-7)
    1. DAVID CONFESSED HIS SIN (5a)
      1. He decided to acknowledge his sin to God
      2. He chose to no longer hide his sin
      3. He confessed his transgressions to the Lord
    2. THE LORD FORGAVE, AND DAVID BLESSED (5b-7)
      1. The Lord forgave David the iniquity of his sin
      2. David blesses (speaks wells of) God for His forgiveness
        1. For this reason everyone who is godly shall pray to Him
          1. In a time when He may be found
          2. In a flood of great waters, they shall not come near
        2. God is his hiding place
          1. He shall preserve him from trouble
          2. He shall surround him with songs of deliverance
  4. THE VALUE OF TRUST (32:8-11)
    1. DAVID PROPOSES TO INSTRUCT THE READER (8-9)
      1. To teach one the way he (or she) should go
      2. To guide one with his eye (his insight? perspective?)
      3. With a caution not to be like the horse or mule
        1. Which has no understanding
        2. Which has to be harnessed, or they will not come near
    2. THE VALUE OF TRUSTING IN THE LORD (10-11)
      1. Many sorrows will be to the wicked
      2. Mercy will surround the one who trusts in the Lord
        1. Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous!
        2. Shout for joy, all you upright in heart!
REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE PSALM
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  1. What are the main points of this psalm?
    - The joy of forgiveness (1-2)
    - The curse of silence (3-4)
    - The benefit of confession (5-7)
    - The value of trust (8-11)
  2. What is the condition of the blessed man described in this psalm? (1-2)
    - His transgression is forgiven
    - His sin is covered
    - The Lord does not impute iniquity against him
    - There is no deceit (guile) in his spirit
  3. What had been the affect of keeping silent about his sin? (3-4)
    - His bones grew old through his groaning all day long
    - The hand of the Lord had been heavy on him day and night
    - His vitality had become like the drought of summer
  4. What did he then decide to do? What was the result? (5)
    - To confess his transgressions to the Lord
    - The Lord forgave him
  5. What will the godly do when in need of forgiveness? (6)
    - Pray to God
  6. What blessings does God provide for those who put their trust in Him? (6-7)
    - In a flood of great waters, they shall not come near
    - He is their hiding place
    - He preserves them from trouble
    - He surrounds them with songs of deliverance
  7. What does David (or perhaps God) offer to do in this psalm? (8)
    - Instruct and teach one in the way they should go
    - Guide one with his eye (insight, perspective?)
  8. What warning is given concerning those who read this psalm? (9)
    - Don't be like the horse or mule, which lacking understanding have to be drawn in order to come near
  9. What antithetical statements are made concerning the wicked and those who trust in the Lord? (10)
    - Many sorrows shall be to the wicked
    - He who trusts in the Lord, mercy shall surround him
  10. What are the righteous and upright in heart called upon to do? (11)
    - Be glad in the Lord and rejoice
    - Shout for joy