Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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Psalms
Book: Psalms
Chapter: 32
Overview:
The happiness of a pardoned sinner.
(1,2) The misery that went
before, and the comfort that followed the
Confession of sins.
(3-7) Sinners instructed, believers encouraged.
(8-11)
1,2 Sin is the cause of our misery; but the true believer's
transgressions of the Divine
Law are all forgiven, being covered
with the
Atonement.
Christ bare his sins, therefore they are not
imputed to him. The
Righteousness of
Christ being reckoned to
us, and we being made the
Righteousness of
God in him, our
iniquity is not imputed,
God having laid upon him the iniquity
of us all, and made him a
Sin-Offering for us. Not to impute
Sin, is
God's act, for he is the
Judge. It is
God that
justifies. Notice the character of him whose sins are pardoned;
he is sincere, and seeks
Sanctification By the power of the Holy
Ghost. He does not profess to repent, with an intention to
indulge in
Sin, because the
Lord is ready to forgive. He will
not abuse the doctrine of free
Grace. And to the
Man whose
iniquity is forgiven, all manner of blessings are promised.
3-7 It is very difficult to bring sinful
Man humbly to accept
free
Mercy, with a full
Confession of his sins and
self-condemnation. But the true and only way to peace of
Conscience, is, to confess our sins, that they may be forgiven;
to declare them that we may be justified. Although
Repentance
and
Confession do not merit the
Pardon of transgression, they
are needful to the real enjoyment of forgiving
Mercy. And what
tongue can tell the happiness of that
Hour, when the soul,
oppressed
By Sin, is enabled freely to pour forth its sorrows
before
God, and to take
Hold of his covenanted
Mercy in
Christ
Jesus! Those that would speed in
Prayer, must seek the
Lord,
when,
By his
Providence, he calls them to seek him, and,
By his
Spirit, stirs them up to seek him. In a time of finding, when
the
Heart is softened with grief, and burdened with guilt; when
all human
Refuge fails; when
No Rest can be found to the
troubled mind, then it is that
God applies the healing
Balm By
his
Spirit.
8-11 God teaches
By his
Word, and guides with the secret
intimations of his will.
David gives a
Word of caution to
sinners. The reason for this caution is, that the way of
Sin
will certainly
End in sorrow. Here is a
Word of comfort to
saints. They may see that a
Life of
Communion with
God is far
the most pleasant and comfortable. Let us rejoice, O
Lord Jesus,
in thee, and in thy
Salvation;
So shall we rejoice indeed.