The Bible — notes and cross-references in Psalms | Interpretation and commentary to chapter 32

32:0^a Of David

Psa. 3 title
32:0¹ Maschil

The meaning of this term is uncertain. Some understand a meditative poem; others, a poem of instruction.
32:1^1a Blessed

vv. 1-2; Rom. 4:7-8

Or, Happy. So also in v. 2.
32:1^2b forgiven

Exo. 34:7

God’s forgiving our sins and not imputing iniquity to us are based on Christ’s redemption (Eph. 1:7). Apart from Christ’s redemption the righteous God cannot forgive our sins (Heb. 9:22).
32:1^c covered

Psa. 85:2; James 5:20
32:4^a hand

1 Sam. 5:6, 11; Psa. 38:2; Acts 13:11
32:4^b sap

Psa. 92:14; 104:16; Luke 23:31
32:5^a acknowledged

Psa. 38:18; 51:3; 1 John 1:9
32:5^b forgave

Psa. 103:3; 130:4; Mark 2:7; Luke 5:21
32:7^a hiding

Psa. 31:20; 32:7; 119:114
32:9^a bit

Prov. 26:3; James 3:3
32:11¹ righteous

In the beginning of this psalm David confessed his sins (vv. 1-5), but at the end he justified himself as righteous and upright in heart. In reality, apart from Christ no one is righteous and upright in heart (Rom. 3:10; Jer. 17:9). David’s writing here is that of a person who tried to keep the law apart from Christ. In His economy God does not want us to endeavor to keep the law. He wants us to live Christ, the God-man, that He may be magnified (Phil. 1:19-21a). To live Christ in order to magnify Him is to enjoy Him.