PSALM XXXII.
With our Bibles open before us, dear young friends, we will try to make a few comments on this portion of Scripture. But let us first turn to Psalm li., for there is the sad confession of sin which went before this joyful song of "Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven." This first verse is a shout of joy and gratitude. Oh, the happiness—the indescribable happiness—of the forgiven sinner!
Four words are used to describe wrong-doing and guilt: transgression, or trespass—a venturing on forbidden ground; sin—a failing, or falling short of goodness; iniquity (second verse), wilfulness, rebellion; and guile—deceit and falsehood.
And here are four pictures of God's saving love. Forgive means "forth give." Pardon flows forth freely and fully from the heart of God to all who truly confess their sins and entreat His mercy. Sin is covered, for Christ is the Propitiation for His people's sins, and these two words carry us back to the tabernacle's most holy place, and bring to view the covering, or lid, of the ark, the mercy-seat, sprinkled with atoning blood and bright with the divine glory. Jesus has died, and His blood cleanseth from all sin. To Him David looked, and was saved, and faith now looks back to His perfect Sacrifice, and rejoices in Him alone.
Then iniquity is not imputed to the pardoned one, for "it is God that justifieth." "Impute" or "reckon" reminds us of an account book, with its columns of debt and credit entries. God will not charge His children with iniquity, for Jesus paid their debts, and Christ's goodness and merits are reckoned in their favour, and they shall receive all blessings for His sake.
And then these blessed ones are made as well as "reckoned" righteous. In their "spirit there is no guile." They, through God's Spirit, become honest and sincere. Oh, how blessed are these forgiven ones!
Then David, for the sake of contrast, presents another picture—his own attempts at covering his sin. What clumsy, miserable failures! He tried to cover one stain by another blot, and then threw the cloak of falsehood over all. But the weary months passed on, and brought him no relief from the unspeakable wretchedness that filled his heart and wore out his body by day and by night, till Nathan, the prophet, was sent by God to reprove him, and then, with a full heart, David acknowledged all, and received the free pardon of his Heavenly Father.
Now, David would be useful to others, and warn sinners against the evil ways they are pursuing (see ver. 10, first clause), and would encourage all who are seeking the Lord to hope in His mercy, who had been so merciful to him. God had often been his Hiding-place (ver. 7) when he fled from Saul into rocks and caves of the earth. His sure defence was the Lord Himself. He preserved him from death; and now he had afresh experienced His loving-kindness. And as we read this verse, are we not reminded of the sweet lines—
"Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee"?
The Lord Himself is the great Instructor and Leader of His people, and He guides them with His eye always upon them, watching and protecting the objects of His care (ver. 8). But David would tenderly exhort all who heard, and still hear him, to dread sin, and be afraid of all wayward, self-willed feelings. "Be ye not as the horse, or the mule, that have no understanding" of their owners' will sometimes, but will, if possible, get their own way, and need to be steered and restrained. "I have been like them," David seems to say, "and I was allowed to take my own course; and oh, how fearfully I went astray! Be warned by my fall, and learn, with me, to pray, 'Hold Thou me up, and I shall be safe.'"