Psalms 32 - Introduction

A.M. 2962. B.C. 1042.

This Psalm is properly entitled Maschil, which signifies, giving instruction. For it gives us clear and satisfactory information concerning the most important of all subjects, the nature of true blessedness, and the way that leads to it. Some other Psalms have this title, and most or all of them are of a moral nature, and are designed to convey some salutary advice, and to dispose the mind of the reader to attention and reflection. But this is peculiarly instructive and interesting. The LXX. entitle it, συνεσεως τω Δαυιδ , of the understanding of David, or his return to a right understanding of himself. And it is thought that being awakened to a fresh sense of his sin, in the affair of Uriah, by his son Absalom's rebellion, he in this Psalm expresses his deep repentance for having so heinously offended God. The Arabic title asserts, that David spoke this prophetically of the redemption of mankind; and the Syriac informs us, that it treats of the sin and fall of Adam, and contains a prophecy of Christ, by whom we are delivered from hell. And St. Paul gives great support to this assertion by his quotation, Romans 4:8. Though composed on a particular occasion, the Psalm was afterward adapted to public use by the Jewish Church, and was solemnly repeated on the great day of expiation, when the whole nation made a general confession of their sins. Dodd. We have here,

(1,) The happiness of them whose sins are forgiven, Psalms 32:1; Psalms 32:2.

(2,) The necessity of confessing our sins, and of prayer, Psalms 32:3.

(3,) God's promise to them that trust in him, Psalms 32:7.

(4,) An exhortation to rejoice in God, Psalms 32:11.