---
title: "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible -  Psalms 32"
description: "PSALM 32   :-. Maschil—literally, \"giving instruction.\"
The Psalmist describes the blessings of His forgiveness, succeeding
the pains of conviction, and d"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/psalms/32"
---

PSALM 32

. *Maschil*—literally, "giving instruction."
The Psalmist describes the blessings of His forgiveness, succeeding
the pains of conviction, and deduces from his own experience
instruction and exhortation to others.

**1, 2.** (Compare ).
**forgiven**—literally,
"taken away," opposed to *retain* ().
**covered**—so that God no
longer regards the sin ([Psalms 85:3](../../../kjv/psalms/85/3)).

**2. imputeth**—charge to him, and
treat him accordingly.
**no guile**—or, *deceit,*
no false estimate of himself, nor insincerity before God (compare ).

**3, 4.** A vivid description of
felt, but unacknowledged, sin.
**When**—literally, "for,"
as in [Psalms 32:4](../../../kjv/psalms/32/4).

**4. thy hand**—of God, or power
in distressing him ([Psalms 38:2](../../../kjv/psalms/38/2)).
**moisture**—vital juices
of the body, the parching heat of which expresses the anguish of the
soul. On the other figures, compare [Psalms 6:2](../../../kjv/psalms/6/2);
[Psalms 6:7](../../../kjv/psalms/6/7); [Psalms 31:9-11](../../../kjv/psalms/31/9-11).
If composed on the occasion of the [Psalms 31:9-19](../../../kjv/psalms/31/9-19), this distress may have been protracted for several months.

**5.** A prompt fulfilment of the
purposed confession is followed by a prompt forgiveness.

**6. For this**—that is, my happy
experience.
**godly**—pious in the
sense of [Psalms 4:3](../../../kjv/psalms/4/3).
**a time**— ([Psalms 4:3](../../../kjv/psalms/4/3)); when God's Spirit inclines us to seek pardon, He is ready
to forgive.
**floods,** c.—denotes
great danger ([Psalms 18:17](../../../kjv/psalms/18/17) [Psalms 66:12](../../../kjv/psalms/66/12)).

**7.** His experience illustrates
the statement of [Psalms 32:6](../../../kjv/psalms/32/6).

**8.** Whether, as most likely, the
language of David (compare ), or that of God, this is a promise of divine guidance.
**I will . . . mine eye**—or,
My eye shall be on thee, watching and directing thy way.

**9.** The latter clause, more
literally, "*in that they come not near thee*"; that
is, *because* they will not come, &c., unless forced by bit
and bridle.

**10.** The sorrows of the
impenitent contrasted with the peace and safety secured by God's
mercy.

**11.** The righteous and upright,
or those conforming to the divine teaching for securing the divine
blessing, may well rejoice with shouting.

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