|
|
A Psalm of David
by Larry M. Jaynes
Psalms 32:1 BLESSED is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
In this Psalm we notice the first word BLESSED, this word means to have happiness in our life’s journey, because God can bless our ways. Transgression in the Hebrew text relates to the thoughts and intents of the heart that lead away from the instructions of Scripture, and the Scripture shows us how to journey on a direct path that leads us to godliness. When we realize our faults and come to God in prayer to receive our forgiveness, He is always faithful and just to forgive us our sins (I John 1:9). Then the Psalm says whose sin is covered. In the Old Testament times sins were only covered, like putting a lid on a trash can, but today in grace God cleanses us from all unrighteousness (I John 1:9) leaving the inside washed clean, rather than simply covering them up.
Psalms 32:2 Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.
The reason that we are so blessed is because the Lord God Almighty sees the Christ in us, and that most important part of us (our hearts and inner consciousness) is totally sinless and pure before God. So when we experience condemnation for our sins, it is pretty much a waste of our time and energy because what God imputes to us is being able to thank Him for forgiveness. In our spirit (our inner heart) God sees no guile. Having no guile means that God sees absolutely no deceit (or guile) in our hearts as we walk before Him being already forgiven, cleansed, and knowing that He has not imputed (or held) our shortcomings against us.
Psalms 32:3 When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long.
Silence represents our not asking for forgiveness in prayer from our God. Sometimes we may feel so awful about our sins that we become fearful to ask for God’s help. When we do not ask God, then we may feel as though we are standing alone. The bones (the inner structure that holds up our physical lives) can feel very old. David’s meaning here is that when we try and hold ourselves up on our own, then we will not be allowing God the blessed privilege of holding us up. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up (James 4:10). The roaring represents sorrow and groaning and is man’s inner result from not asking and/or allowing or perhaps refusing our God to forgive us when His will and desire is to do so.
Psalms 32:4 For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah.
I have heard this verse explained as living under the thumb of God, receiving His rebuking correction; however, this is simply untrue. Whenever we Christians carry our own burdens around without releasing them to our God, then we will feel heavy (spiritually), feeling perhaps like Atlas felt carrying the weight of the world upon his shoulders. Oftentimes this is when believers experience what John calls an unction from the Holy One (I John 2:20) when God is working overtime to inspire us to come back to Him, and to enjoy His fellowship again. The lack of moisture is referring to a spiritual drought and is the absence of the spiritual refreshing that can come to us only when we accept God’s healing will and forgiveness. Selah basically means to pause and calmly think about what was just written!
Psalms 32:5 {Finally, I realize the error of my ways without You in my life: and so} I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid {from God}. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin {not just the sin, but the thoughts/actions that caused the sin God will totally forgive and cleanse}. Selah. {Pause: and calmly think on what was written and that God forgives us.}
Psalms 32:6 For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him.
The word shall means that we may whenever we want to anyone who is godly may come to God in prayer. The criterion for godly is anyone who is saved and begins learning his or her spiritual relationship with the Father. The godly are those who have been blessed (Ephesians 1:3), those who have come to experience their forgiveness (I John 1:9), those who have acknowledged that God does cleanse us of our sins. These are those who know that they live in a godly way, who do come boldly to our heavenly Father with believing and prayer (Hebrews 4:16). When is a time that God may be found? This is a very good question, and the answer is simple it is always a good time to come to God in prayer, there is never a bad time. When we are feeling down or if we feel that we are living in self condemnation, (even then) God encourages us as His kids to go to Him without hesitation or fear to our loving, heavenly Father Who will embrace us in love. If God be for us, who can be against us (Romans 8:31)? The answer is no one, because God is always on our side (and no one is bigger than God). Surely in the floods of great waters they {the spiritual storms of this life} shall not come nigh unto him, because God watches over us, He is indeed our refuge from the storm (Isaiah 25:4).
Through God’s healing Word, He directs our spiritual steps to safer and higher ground. His Word encourages us to build our spiritual lives on the rock, Christ Jesus (I Corinthians 3:11; Ephesians 2:20). The spiritual winds may beat from one direction and blow from even another direction, but we shall not be blown about, as promised us by Jesus himself (Matthew 7:24-25). As we learn to build our spiritual lives upon the rock, indeed, stormy rains (negatives) may fall down, floods (of unbelief) may come up, and the winds (of doubt) may below across our hopes and dreams. Yet God has already guaranteed to us that He will hold us up as we continue looking to Him and His healing Word as our sure rock of the eternal ages.
Psalms 32:7 Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.
God is our hiding place, because in (fellowship with) God there is refuge, there is sanctuary, and there is peace of mind. HE that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty (Psalms 91:1). It is our God Who preserves us from impending trouble, Who watches over our lives and protects us from every assault of evil (I Corinthians 10:13).
Thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance, can be experienced in contrast to feeling as though we are drying up from the inside out without spiritual edification and inspiration. And instead of being flooded with negatives from every direction, God encompasses, encircles, and covers us, giving to our souls spiritual songs of His deliverance. This is when our souls sing for joy, and because of our deliverance we can become overflowing with rejoicing, for from the depths of our inner souls we with genuineness become ever more thankful for our complete standing as God’s children. Today, as we rejoice in our calling from God, we may spiritually and experientially realize our very own place with God (at His very own right hand). Today, recall how much love the Father has for us, that we should be called the sons {and daughters} of God (I John 3:1).
In Psalm 32, David begins by expressing how blessed we are when we receive forgiveness, and he goes on to show what happens when we do not ask for frgiveness. Finally, David got to the place in his life that he realized that all he had to do was acknowledge the error of ways. David then finally knew that his God totally forgave him. The Psalm goes on now with God’s own response:
Psalms 32:8 I {God} will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.
God gives us His continued instruction (II Timothy 3:16), teaching with His Word and with inspiration the way to go, to follow in the correct way, and God guides us with His eye. This is something that a servant would completely understand, because when their master would perhaps raise one eyebrow he would be directing his servant to do something for him, perhaps bring a cup of water or something. The meaning here is that God can direct us with inspirations that are not forceful, but are gently given to us in the love of God.
Psalms 32:9 Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they {otherwise they will not} come near unto thee {to receive their instructions and guidance}.
God’s instruction here is that we can walk with understanding, that we can come to Him, and that we can allow Him to guide our ways through the instruction of Scripture and inspiration.
Psalms 32:10 Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the LORD, mercy shall compass him about.
The wicked experience in their lives many sorrows, and that is just a fact of life. Nevertheless, we who trust the Lord can be delivered from all of our sorrows and be continuously encircled in God’s loving mercy. Mercy biblically means that God withholds judgment and punishment from us because of His divine grace. Often when we blow it and sin (for no man is perfect), we may be truly deserving of condemnation, judgment, and punishment. However, God’s mercy holds these off, keeping us in a life with Him that is full of mercy from every direction and dimension.
Psalms 32:11 Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.
Thus, be glad in the Lord. When we are truly glad in the Lord for His mercy upon our lives, then we are fulfilling a biblical requirement, and the blessed result will produce in our own hearts genuine rejoicing in the Lord. We may rejoice because God has made us righteous, as completely righteous as God is! So SHOUT FOR JOY!!
We who continue to come to our God in prayer with thankfulness and with believing that He does indeed answers us, will (without a doubt) also absolutely recognize that God sees us as His upright in heart. The life that Christians can enjoy in knowing God’s healing will reveals to us the more than abundant life. Have a wonderful day knowing and enjoying the spiritual truths that God sees you as His upright in heart. God bless you today and always!
Larry M. Jaynes
Founder
Bible Byte Communications
681 Bath Road, Suite #4
Wiscasset,
ME 04578
|
|
About
Jesus Works
Services
We Offer
Becoming
A Partner
Our
Newsletter
Make
A Donation
Statement
Of Faith
New Ministries
Special
Events
Personal
Growth
New
Products
Ministries
Directory
Submit
Articles
List
Your Site
Mission
Projects
Discussion Boards
Contact
Us
|
|
