Blessed Are The Forgiven Series

Introduction

Psalm 32 is one of eight Thanksgiving Psalms.

A Psalm of Thanksgiving may be defined as “a song offering gratitude to God because he has counteracted suffering, oppression, sin, or another threat. Thanksgiving hymns typically speak of God’s ongoing love and faithfulness” (David Seal, “Thanksgiving Hymns,” ed. John D. Barry et al., The Lexham Bible Dictionary [Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2016]).

However, Psalm 32 also has other notable characteristics.

Psalm 32 is the second of the seven penitential Psalms: 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, and 143.

Another notable characteristic of Psalm 32 is taken from its superscription, which reads as follows: “A MASKIL OF DAVID.”

Psalm 32 is the first of thirteen psalms that use the term “MASKIL” in its title. The Psalms that use “MASKIL” in its title are Psalms 32, 42, 44, 45, 52, 53, 54, 55, 74, 78, 88, 89, and 142.

The footnote in the ESV Bible says that a “MASKIL” is “probably a musical or liturgical term” (The Holy Bible: English Standard Version [Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016]).

Some commentators suggest, however, that “MASKIL” could also mean “the giving of instruction” (James Montgomery Boice, Psalms 1–41: An Expositional Commentary[Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2005], 277).

What was the occasion for writing Psalm 32?

At the height of his career, King David was in Jerusalem. One afternoon, he saw a beautiful woman bathing. He learned that her name was Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah, a soldier in King David’s army who was fighting against the Ammonites.

David sent for Bathsheba and committed adultery with her.

Later, Bathsheba informed David that she was pregnant.

David then arranged for Uriah to be killed.

After a suitable time of mourning, David married Bathsheba.

David tried to deceive people into thinking that the child that was to be born was the product of their marriage and not of their adultery.

David tried to cover up his sin.

“But the thing that David had done displeased the Lord” (2 Samuel 11:27).

Probably about a year after David’s adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah, the Lord sent Nathan, the prophet, to expose David’s sins.

David confessed his sins to Nathan, saying, “I have sinned against the Lord” (2 Samuel 12:13a).

Nathan assured David that the Lord had forgiven him.

David immediately wrote Psalm 51 to confess his sin to God. Psalm 51 is perhaps the best expression of a confession of sin in the Bible. It exudes the emotion of one who knows that God has forgiven his sins.

In his commentary, James Montgomery Boice notes:

Psalm 32 seems to have been written later than Psalm 51, after some reflection, and may, therefore, as Leupold suggests, be “the fulfillment of the vow contained in Psalm 51:13: ‘Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you.’ ” That “teaching” may be the maskil which is Psalm 32 (James Montgomery Boice, Psalms 1–41: An Expositional Commentary[Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2005], 277).

Scripture

Let’s read Psalm 32:1-11:

A MASKIL OF DAVID.

1 Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven,

whose sin is covered.

2 Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity,

and in whose spirit there is no deceit.

3 For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away

through my groaning all day long.

4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;

my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah

5 I acknowledged my sin to you,

and I did not cover my iniquity;

I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,”

and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah

6 Therefore let everyone who is godly

offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found;

surely in the rush of great waters,

they shall not reach him.

7 You are a hiding place for me;

you preserve me from trouble;

you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah

8 I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;

I will counsel you with my eye upon you.

9 Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding,

which must be curbed with bit and bridle,

or it will not stay near you.

10 Many are the sorrows of the wicked,

but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord.

11 Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous,

and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!

Lesson

Psalm 32:1-11 teaches us fundamental truths about sin that causes believers to give thanks to God for the forgiveness of their sins.

Let’s use the following outline:

1. The Blessing of Forgiveness (32:1-2)

2. The Misery of Silence (32:3-4)

3. The Pathway of Deliverance (32:5-7)

4. The Joy of Submission (32:8-11)