THE BLESSEDNESS OF GOD'S RIGHTEOUSNESS
Psalm 32: 1-11
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A PRESBYTERIAN PSALTER - by Pastor Max A Forsythe |
This, in the order of the Psalter is the first with the title of maskil. Now, we are not altogether certain exactly what this word means, but our best guess is that this is an indication that it is didactic, instructive or teaching psalm. What we see here is the natural action of one believer, David, to share his own experience of the Grace of God to any who will listen and learn.
We may divide this psalm into four parts:
Verses one and two explains who is blessed.
Verses three to seven share David's confession and appeal.
Verses eight to ten are the voice of God.
And verse eleven charges us to maintain a cheerful spirit.
The first instruction that we may draw from this psalm is an answer to the question: Who is blessed? David gives it to us straight in verses one and two. "Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven." The word translated "forgiven" has the meaning of "taken off" or "taken away" as in a heavy burden lifted or a barrier removed. Such is sin which is lifted from us by the blood of Jesus Christ. We see also that even on his side of Christ's coming David knew that he was pardoned from sin, real personal sin against the Living God. He has learned that his sins are covered and that they are not held to his eternal account.
In verse two the word for blessed is in the plural. Oh the blessednesses! By this he means the double joys, bundles of happiness and incredible delights. This blessednesses of forgiveness is fivefold:
First, forgiveness is an act of God's free grace, it is not deserved, but is an act of executive pardon given solely through God's mercy. It is His gift to us apart from our just deserts.
Second, our God in forgiving sin remits both guilt and penalty. Even though we deserve death for sinning against Him, not only are we given life but also counted thereafter as righteous. This is an amazing concept, we are certainly familiar with the idea that governors and presidents can pardon someone from the punishment of a crime. However, God's grace goes much much further, the fact of the guilt is also taken away.
Third, forgiveness of sin is through the blood of Christ. It is His death and his righteousness that really count. Therefore, we must fully appreciate that our Lord died on the cross for our own particular sins.
Fourth, God having forgiven sin, will remember it no longer. As the prophet Micah reveals, they are cast into the depths of the sea forever. Now, I have learned how to forget some things, but the fact that I choose to forget does not make those events disappear without a trace.
Fifth, forgiveness is not purchased by our repentance, but before sin is forgiven it must be repented of. When we are humbled and admit that we are guilty, we will more value God's incredible mercy. It is not our sorriness that saves, but the presence of God's Holy Spirit in our lives leading us to repentance.
This last point we find emphasized in the last part of verse two. In the words "and in whose spirit is no deceit" indicate that there is in the heart of the sinner real peace with God. After all, he who is pardoned has learned to deal honestly with himself, his sin and his God. Forgiveness is no sham, and the peace which it brings is not caused by playing tricks with the conscience. Psychological deception and hypocrisy bring no blessedness. It is only a God given contrite heart heavy with remorse that can experience the blessednesses of forgiveness.
Who is it that is blessed, not he who cloaks, conceals or refuses to confess his sin. We move on to the second part to see how David experienced his forgiveness. Notice the first words of verse three: "When I kept silent". As long as David was in this state he was miserable. There was deceit in his heart, he refused for a while to confess. And look what happens when we do that: God's hand is heavy upon us. Sometimes this is difficult to understand unless we experience it directly. Spurgeon notes that "none know the pangs of conviction but those who have endured them." It is this idea that David explains in this Psalm.
Finally, like all of God's own people, David comes to his senses. "I will confess my transgressions to the Lord." Yes it is painful to do that, but there is relief. Once when I was in college, my horse stepped on my foot and blood gathered under a toe nail. After a day or so I sought relief at the Campus clinic. I explained my problem and they refused aid because I was a commuter. I went to the doctor where my records had been transferred when the family doctor moved to another State. They would be able to make an appointment in a month or so. I couldn't wait, I was in misery. Finally I went to Sherry's doctor who was just on his way out of his office, but promised to see me the next day. Finally, the throbbing pressure was relieved. Confession of sin to God can bring a like relief to the despair of our soul. David urges us in verse six to pray to God our Father as he has done. This should encourage us to do the same.
Every year I tell my students a story about a British Army detachment that during Indian troubles had to abandon a small blockhouse in Zanesfield, Ohio. Before they left, they buried the regimental silver behind a large tree. According to local legend, they never returned to dig it up. Somewhere in someone's yard there is buried silver! Can you imagine what would happen if someone would actually find one of these artifacts? There would be shovelers everywhere. In the same way we should seek the same treasure that David has found! And in that treasure of forgiveness there is eternal safety.
In verse seven David assures us that He is our hiding place and that we will be protected from troubles. Even in the rising of mighty waters we can find safety. Would you have that peace? Listen to the third part of this psalm. Here we have a new speaker, David's witness gives way to the very voice of God our Father.
In verse eight David's prayer is answered and he is promised instruction, teaching and counsel. And beyond that, God promises to even watch over him, just as He promises to watch over us. But, we have to listen, we dare not act like a foolish beast. The Lord really has our number, look there in verse nine. We should not act like animals. Now the New International Version is limited in its translation of the last phrase. Calvin suggests that the sense here is: "or they will kick against you." This phrase is more in keeping with the personality of livestock. There are some animals that never learn the proper respect for their masters. There is a story about a non-violent Quaker farmer who bought a cow without manners. She regularly upset the milk bucket and raised a ruckus. The Quaker patiently worked with the animal for several days without raising his hand or his voice. Finally, he had had it. After failing to get a day's worth of milk for the whole week he looked the cow in the face and promised her that while she knew that he would never raise his voice or give her a good kick, what she didn't know was that he just might sell her to a Presbyterian neighbor!
Now God is patient with those of us that He is calling into His kingdom. We see in verse ten that the wicked have it much worse. If we will but listen to his instructions and teachings we are promised here that "the Lord's unfailing love surrounds the man who trusts in him." For this great love David has a final instruction: "Rejoice ... and be glad." We like David have been saved from certain death and destruction. This fact is of infinite value for our very souls. And yet we are not half as glad as the worldly people on Television game shows who jump and shout and laugh and cry over mere materialistic trinkets. May we all take the instructions of this psalm to heart this day and every day. Amen.
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Resources Used: |
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Kidner, Derek. |
Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries: Psalms. | |
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Spurgeon, C. H. |
The Treasury of David. | |
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Foundation for Reformation. New Geneva Study Bible . (1995) Thomas Nelson, Inc. New King James Version. (1982) | ||
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Psm 032a |
01 January 89 & 02 July 95 | |