Instruction for the Penitent

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Psalm 32

There are at least 6 important introductory truths we need to understand before beginning our study of Psalm 32:

1. Psalm 32 is the 2^nd of the 7 “Penitential Psalms”.  The Penitential Psalms are Psalms of Repentance or Psalms of Sorrow Over Sin.  Psalms 6, 38, 32, 51, 102, 130, and 143 are all Penitential.  
2. Also, Psalm 32 is considered to be a “Psalm of Instruction” because of the word maskil, which means “for instruction” or “for contemplation”.  There are 12 Psalms which bear this same title.
3. Psalm 32 is connected to Psalm 51.  Which is David’s great Psalm of repentance after his sin against Urijah and Bathsheba.  Notice Psalm 51:13- “Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you.”  Some have suggested that the “I will teach transgressors your ways” finds its fulfillment in Psalm 32.  The difference between the 2 Psalms is that the 51^st “breathes with the emotion of the moment” while the 32^nd was probably written much later after David had time to contemplate what he did and how God handled the situation.
4. This is the first time since Psalm 1 when we have the word “blessed” opening up another Psalm, which is in the plural form.  
5. St. Paul quotes from Psalm 32:1-2 in Romans 4 to undergird his teaching that Justification has always been by faith alone, by grace alone through Christ alone.  Paul connects Psalm 32:1-2 with Genesis 15:6, in both texts Paul argues that Abraham and David were justified by faith and not works.
6. We are told that Augustine had Psalm 32 inscribed on the wall next to his bed before he died in order that he might meditate on it better.  He liked this Psalm because he said “the beginning of knowledge is to know oneself to be a sinner” 

Let us come to this great portion of God’s Word that we may find instruction and encouragement as to how God responds to the sin of those who are repentant!

This 32^nd Psalm is a “celebration of forgiveness” and moves far beyond the assurance that God merely forgives our sins but boldly declares the many and sundry blessings associated with God’s pardon, our confession and the celebration of our restoration.

1. The Incredible Lord Who Completely Forgives in Verses 1-2
   1. 3 Key Words for Sin:
      1. “Transgression”—This word means “a going away” or “rebellion” against God and His authority.
      2. “Sin”—This word means “falling short” of a mark
      3. “Iniquity”—This word means “corrupt” “twisted” or “crooked”.  
   2. 3 Key Words for what God does with our Sin:
      1. “Forgiven”—this word literally means “lifted off”.  Our sins cause us to carry heavy burdens.  But, when we come to God He lifts the burden from us.   
      2. “Covered”—This word is taken from the Day of Atonement.  1 day per year the High Priest of Israel would take the blood from the sacrificial animal and take it into the Temple and sprinkle the blood on the Mercy Seat of the Ark of the Covenant.  The Mercy Seat was the top of the Ark where the Cherubim covered their eyes.  Under the lid the broken tablets of the Law of God
      3. “Count not”—This word is in the negative, meaning it describes what God chooses not to do.  God chooses to not count sin against us.  This is a bookkeeping term.  
   3. Do you know this great blessedness?
2. The Crushing Weight of Unconfessed Sin and then Relief in Verses 3-5
   1. The Heavy Hand of God in Verses 3-4—When we refuse to get real with God about our sins God allows the terrible pressure of our sins to bring us back to Him.  Because God is holy He can never overlook our sins, but rather He applies pressure.
   2. The Relief Which Comes from God’s Forgiveness in Verse 5.  When we come to God penitent and sorrowful for what we have done to Him the relief which we experience is complete and immediate.  There are 2 things worth noting about Psalm 32:5:
      1. Verse 5 is the longest verse in this Psalm.  Which is a way of saying that it is the heart and soul of this great poem.  If this Psalm is an instruction for those who have sinned and been restored to a right relationship to God then this verse is foundational.  
      2. Verse 5 contains all the key words for sin which we previously discussed.  “Transgression” “Sin” and “Iniquity” are all mentioned again here.  David is saying that when he came to God in humble confession he confessed everything and God removed everything.  

Conclusion:  When we behold this great man’s great testimony of forgiveness and restoration before God do we have that same kind of testimony?  You may not have sinned as grievously as David but you are a sinner like he.  May God grant us this kind of testimony before Him so we can say like David “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you.”-Verse 8 When we experience God’s complete forgiveness we will teach others the same!