Psalm 32
A Psalm of David, Maschil.
Perhaps this psalm was composed for the great day of the national atonement, on the tenth day of the seventh month, Lev. 16. In it observe, (1.) The exceeding riches of the grace of God, manifested in blessing men with forgiveness of sin, and with protection amidst dangers, and direction in duty, ver. 1-2, 7-8. (2.) The indispensable duty of them who desire new-covenant blessings; viz. to acknowledge their offences to God; to implore his favour, which they need; to walk humbly and circumspectly before him, and to rejoice in him as God and their God, ver. 3-6, 9-11.
While I am truly conscious of my sinfulness, and deeply affected therewith, let the faith and experience of Jesus' full pardon of my sins, and of the communications of his grace, melt my heart, and animate me to every commanded duty.
1 O blessed is the man to whom
is freely pardoned
All the transgression he hath done,
whose sin is covered.
2 Bless'd is the man to whom the Lord
imputeth not his sin,
And in whose sp'rit there is no guile,
nor fraud is found therein.
3 When as I did refrain my speech,
and silent was my tongue,
My bones then waxed old, because
I roared all day long.
4 For upon me both day and night
thine hand did heavy lie,
So that my moisture turned is
in summer's drought thereby.
5 I thereupon have unto thee
my sin acknowledged,
And likewise mine iniquity
I have not covered:
I will confess unto the Lord
my trespasses, said I;
And of my sin thou freely didst
forgive th' iniquity.
6 For this shall ev'ry godly one
his prayer make to thee;
In such a time he shall thee seek,
as found thou mayest be.
Surely, when floods of waters great
do swell up to the brim,
They shall not overwhelm his soul,
nor once come near to him.
7 Thou art my hiding-place, thou shalt
from trouble keep me free:
Thou with songs of deliverance
about shalt compass me.
8 I will instruct thee, and thee teach
the way that thou shalt go;
And, with mine eye upon thee set,
I will direction show.
9 Then be not like the horse or mule,
which do not understand;
Whose mouth, lest they come near to thee,
a bridle must command.
10 Unto the man that wicked is
his sorrows shall abound;
But him that trusteth in the Lord
mercy shall compass round.
11 Ye righteous, in the Lord be glad,
in him do ye rejoice:
All ye that upright are in heart,
for joy lift up your voice.