Psalms Chapter 32

“Blessed [is he whose] transgression [is] forgiven, etc.] Or “lifted up” f470; bore and carried away: sin is a transgression of the law; the guilt of it charged upon the conscience of a sinner is a heavy burden, too heavy for him to bear, and the punishment of it is intolerable: forgiveness is a removal of sin, guilt, and punishment. Sin was first taken off, and transferred from the sinner to Christ, the surety; and who laid upon him really and judicially, as the sins of the people of Israel were put upon the scapegoat typically; and was bore by him, both guilt and punishment, and taken away, finished, and made an…”

“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. (Psa 32:1-11) (Compare Rom 4:6). forgiven--literally, "taken away," opposed to retain (Joh 20:23). covered--so that God no longer regards the sin (Psa 85:3).”

“Blessed is he ... - On the meaning of the word “blessed,” see the notes at Psalms 1:1. See the passage explained in the notes at Romans 4:7-8. The word “blessed” here is equivalent to “happy.” “Happy is the man;” or “happy is the condition - the state of mind - happy are the prospects, of one whose sins are forgiven.” His condition is happy or blessed: (a) as compared with his former state, when he was pressed or bowed down under a sense of guilt; (b) in his real condition, as that of a pardoned man - a man who has nothing now to fear as the result of his guilt, or who feels that he is at peace with God; (c) in…”

“Imputeth - Whom God doth not charge with the guilt of his sins, but graciously pardons and accepts him in Christ. No guile - Who freely confesses all his sins, and turns from sin to God with all his heart. Psalms 32:3”

“Ps 32 This wisdom psalm of confession and thanksgiving encourages and exhorts the godly to learn from the psalmist’s experience of sin, denial, confession, and forgiveness. This psalm was one of the seven psalms of penitence used in the early church (also Pss 6, 38, 51, 102, 130, 143). 32:1-2 The Lord’s forgiveness restores people to fellowship with him, clears them of guilt, and gives them great joy. Paul quoted this text when explaining justification by faith alone (Rom 4:4-8).”

“Blessed: Psa 1:1, Psa 1:2, Psa 40:4, Psa 84:12, Psa 89:15, Psa 106:3, Psa 119:1, Psa 119:2, Psa 128:1; Jer 17:7, Jer 17:8; Mat 5:3-12, Mat 16:17; Luk 11:28; Rev 22:14 transgression: Isa 1:18, Isa 43:25, Isa 44:22; Mic 7:18, Mic 7:19; Act 13:38, Act 13:39; Rom 4:6-8 covered: Psa 85:2; Neh 4:5 Psalms 32:2”

“The Psalm begins with the celebration of the happiness of the man who experiences God's justifying grace, when he gives himself up unreservedly to Him. Sin is called פּשׁע, as being a breaking loose or tearing away from God; חטאה, as a deviation from that which is well-pleasing to God; עון, as a perversion, distortion, misdeed. The forgiveness of sin is styled נשׂא ( Exo 34:7), as a lifting up and taking away, αἴρειν and ἀφαιρεῖν, Exo 34:7; כּסּה ( Psa 85:3, Pro 10:12, Neh 4:5), as a covering, so that it becomes invisible to God, the Holy One, and is as though it had never taken place; לא חשׁב ( Sa2 19:20,…”