Romans 4:6

Even as David also In Psalms 32. This quotation is specially to the point, being not only an inspired statement of truth, but made by one who had been guilty of deep "ungodliness," and had himself experienced justification under that condition. "Also:" i.e. as well as Moses in Genesis. Romans 4:6-8 are quite subordinate to the main argument, which is throughout based on Abraham'sjustification.

describeth the blessedness More lit. expresses the congratulation. The word rendered "blessedness" here and in Romans 4:9 is properly "the pronouncing happy." It is just this which is done in Psalms 32:1-2.

imputeth righteousness As it is implied that He does when we read that He "will notimpute sin" to him (Romans 4:8). Not that the two phrases are exactly coincident: to "impute righteousness" implies a largeness of acceptance not necessaryin the other phrase. But, taken with the word "blessed," the non-imputation of sin is practically equivalent to the imputation of righteousness; for such "blessedness" imports a full and solemn acceptance. The latter phrase well illustrates the former: in the latter, man has sin, but is treated as having it not; in the former he has not righteousness, but is treated as having it: "righteousness is reckonedto him without works."