Psalm 32
We are taught the blessedness of sin's pardon through the
faith of Christ. O Lord, give us this blessing, and we shall be blessed!
1, 2. "Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven,
whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord imputes not
iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit."
If he alone was blessed whom no sin had ever stained,
this world would have a wretched doom! If he alone was blessed, whose feet
had never strayed from godly ways, where could we hide our heads? But
blessedness belongs to the transgressor PARDONED—to the sinner, whose sins
are no more seen by God—to the guilty, to whose account the guilt is no more
reckoned. We are transgressors, we are sinners, we are deep-steeped in
guilt. Is this blessedness given to us?
Yes, truly, if through grace we have received Christ.
There is redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of all our sins.
His cross redeems from transgression, iniquity, and sin. His beautiful
righteousness so hides all guilt, that God's omniscient eye no more discerns
it. His blood wipes out all record of iniquity. For the believer's sins may
be searched for, but they shall not be found. Such blessedness is the fruit
of faith. Oh, precious grace! Blessed are those to whom it is freely given!
From faith's deep roots all virtuous blossoms spring. The honest mind, the
truthful heart, the honest purpose, are pre-eminently its fruits.
3, 4. "When I kept silence, my bones grew old, through
my groaning all the day long; for day and night Your hand was heavy upon me;
my moisture was turned into the drought of summer."
Great is the anguish of the soul, when first the Spirit
reveals sin. Day brings no joy, and night supplies no ease. An intolerable
burden oppresses the mind. This is the Lord's hand. Thus He shakes from
security's delusive pillow. Thus He directs the footsteps to the cross. But
until Christ is seen, what misery is undergone! Feverish heat dries up the
pores. The frame is parched, as plains beneath the sultry sun. The body
weakens; the bones are tottering as in extreme old age; the howls of grief
betray the tortured mind.
5. "I acknowledge my sin to You, and I have not hidden
my iniquity. I said, I will confess my transgressions to the Lord; and You
forgave the iniquity of my sin."
At length relief is found. God is revealed as pardoning
all sin in Christ. The glories of the saving cross are shown. The contrite
sinner flies in haste. He lies in deep humility. He pours out every secret
of his melted heart. He recounts the train of life-long iniquity; He
confesses, "Thus and thus have I done." The mass is mountain-high. The stain
is deeper than the scarlet-dye. The language of the cross is heard—all is
forgiven! all is blotted out!
6. "For this shall every one that is godly pray to You
in a time when You may be found; surely in the floods of great waters they
shall not come near him." Because God is a God ready to forgive, His
people throng the mercy-seat. If no mercy could be found, no prayers would
plead. But no delays may check. Now God extends the scepter of His grace.
But the morrow may proclaim, 'Too late.' Prayer brings security. Floods of
trouble may rush in from all sides, but the godly are borne above all in a
peaceful ark. A fiery deluge soon will drown the world; but the fierce
billows will not reach the ransomed of the Lord.
7. "You are my hiding-place; You shall preserve me
from trouble; You shall compass me about with songs of deliverance."
No trouble can touch those who are securely hidden in
God. The preserved shall dwell amid incessant songs. And every song shall
testify, "You have delivered us from the wrath to come!"
8, 9. "I will instruct you, and teach you in the way
which you shall go; I will guide you with My eye. Do not be as the horse, or
as the mule, which have no understanding; whose mouth must be held in with
bit and bridle, lest they come near you."
At each moment we lack wisdom. At each moment God waits
to guide. We have large promises. Let us largely plead them. If our eyes are
turned to Him, in His eye we shall read His will. Let us with all docility
obey. The beasts give warning. Sharp discipline restrains the senseless and
the stubborn.
10, 11. "Many sorrows shall be to the wicked; but he
who trusts in the Lord, mercy shall compass him about. Be glad in the Lord,
and rejoice, you righteous, and shout for joy, all you who are upright in
heart."
Many sorrows now—many sorrows forever, must be the
sinner's doom. The mouth of the Lord has spoken it. Justice demands it.
In contrast view the faithful. Mercy precedes them. Mercy
follows them. Mercy gleams on their right hand. Mercy smiles on their left.
They dwell in mercy, and God's mercy is salvation.
We cannot ponder too much the character of God's people.
They are righteous. They are sincere. As such they have a right to joy. But
all their joy has Jesus as its source. SELF only awakens grief and contempt.
But they rejoice in the Lord, and in His finished work. May this delight be
ever ours.