Lessons From Psalm 32
(Part One)
Introduction
This Psalm is attributed to David.
It could have been written by David in the times that he considered his greatest
of sins before the prophet Nathan came to declare “thou art the man”.
But I really think that this Psalm was written afterwards as a compliment of Psalms
51.
How could David who had seen the loving kindness of God be content to write just
one Psalm about the forgiveness of his sins?
Surely David was overwhelmed by his guilt and also overjoyed by the forgiveness
shown to him by God.
There are many lessons that Christians today can learn from this Psalm as well
as many others written in the Bible.
As the apostle Paul wrote to the Romans; “the things written beforehand
were written for our instruction” (15:4).
And consider also what Paul wrote to young Timothy; “All scripture is given
by inspiration and is profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for
training in righteousness.” (2 Timothy 3:16)
A Maskil
“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”
is taken from the first word of the eighth verse”
Maskil is used in other psalms to convey they same thought.
This is a training manual for others to follow.
1How blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven,
Whose sin is covered!
2 How blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity,
And in whose spirit there is no deceit!
Too often the Christian fails to appreciate the importance of the forgiveness
of sins.
Too often we rely upon our own righteousness and our constant effort to live righteously
before God, that we forget that we are sinful people, and in a sense we are by
nature, “children of wrath”.
Whereas the Christian has turned around a great deal of this wrath into a sense
of duty towards God, we all are foolish or naïve to admit we have no sin.
The apostle John warned us about declaring our non-sin in
1 John 1: 8 and 10.
Our sins have been covered with the blanket of propitiation to hide our sins from
the presence and view of God.
But that does not mean we can continue in sin.
As a result, I am able to have a relationship to God as a child does with a loving
father.
Having the security of His strength to envelope me, I have confidence that my
Father will provide all that I need.
A blessing almost beyond comprehension, but simple enough to realize, that all
may come to know the joy of experiencing it.
Yes we are sinners, but we are also forgiven sinners and there is a huge difference
in the two.
Many fail to recognize the great sacrifice made on behalf of all mankind was done
primarily for ME.
God looked down upon ME with mercy and loving kindness and sent His Son to die
for ME.
Through the atoning sacrifice of Jesus my transgression is forgiven, and thankfully
forgotten by God.
We also seemingly fail to recognize that our iniquities have been removed from
us, and we fail to see the great blessing that this provides for us.
For the apostle John tells us that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all
(1 John 1:5).
No darkness can enter the presence of God.
Sin and those in sin cannot have a relationship with Him.
We must also acknowledge that we are not perfect either, even though God wants
us to be.
This is why we need His grace and why we need to be diligent to be found in Him
blameless (without iniquity).
Our inner man/person is to be found spotless and blameless.
This can only be accomplished with the blood of Jesus, which we access, by faithful
obedience.
When we truly realize the blessings involved in having our sins forgiven, we are
overwhelmed by a joy that is almost inexpressible, but also available to anyone
who so chooses
(2 Timothy 4:8).
3 When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away
Through my groaning all day long.
4 For day and night Thy hand was heavy upon me;
My vitality was drained away as with the fever heat of summer. Selah.
When we sin, we usually know it.
We understand that God is not pleased and if we will not turn from the wrong way,
we will lose our souls.
As long as we recognize our sin, and do nothing to seek forgiveness, that burden
weighs us down.
A tremendous guilt will cause our soul to languish and our bodies to wither away.
Guilt will cause us to lose our appetite, and we will not be motivated to seek
our better welfare, because down deep, we know we are not worthy.
Whether we realize it or not, our body groans in pangs and steadily collapses
into despair (Job 24:12; Psalm 38:8; 2 Corinthians 5:2,4).
It seems that everything goes wrong and that the world is looking upon me and
causing me great shame.
But God be thanked that we Christians have an Advocate that responds on our behalf
(1 John 2:1,2).
It is still up to us to repent of our sins and turn from them, and the blood of
Jesus will cleanse us of our sins. (1 John 1:7,9).
If we do not turn from our sins, they will carry us into a condition whereby our
return is almost impossible (Hebrews 6:5,6).
So it is best to acknowledge and confess our sins to God, and if you think it
would help, to confess your sins to other Christians who would be able to sympathize
with you as Christ can do also (Hebrews 4:15,16).
Conclusion of Part One Psalm 32
Have your transgressions been forgiven?
If not, you had better see to it before it is too late.
Have you been wasting your life away?
If so, you had better see to it before it is too late.
By Carey Scott
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