“Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit” (32:1-2). One of the really great psalms! Wait, they are all really great; however, so many have read these words from David, who personally knows of that which he writes, and experienced such joy! How great was David’s sin; it broke him and humiliated him. Charles Spurgeon rightly observed, “To hear from God’s own Spirit the words, absolve te (“your sins are forgiven”) is joy unspeakable.” Indeed, here is joy that is not only unspeakable but that is constant. However sick, poor, or sorrowful we might be, to know that things are right with our God and that against us he counts no iniquity; well, oh my!
David ends the psalm with an injunction – “Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord. Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!” (32:10-11) – that recalls the apostle’s instruction to those of us whose names are in the book of life: “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice” (4:3-4). The one who is regularly despondent with head drooping and lips pouting clearly does not know this joy, but we . . . !!!
The sorrows of the wicked
Increase from year to year,
But those that trust the Lord God
Know love instead of fear.
Then in the Lord be joyful,
In song lift up your voice;
Be glad in God, you righteous:
Rejoice, O saints, rejoice! --The New Metrical Version of the Psalms (1909)
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