Psalm 32; key verse, verse 11- Rejoice in the Lord and be
glad you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart. This
psalm is a grateful testimony of joy from God’s gift of forgiveness toward
those who with integrity confess their sins and are receptive to God’s rule in
their lives. It is a fitting psalm to be used in this Lenten season. As you
pray this psalm, reflect on all Christ has done to win for you salvation and
life.
Psalm 32 – The Blessings of
Protection, Forgiveness and Guidance
This
psalm is simply titled A Psalm of David. A Contemplation. According to James
Montgomery Boice, the Hebrew word for Contemplation (maskil) might be better
understood as “instruction.” This is the first of twelve psalms with this title.
It is full of instruction and contemplation, and it is worthy of meditation, as
indicated by the frequent repetition of Selah, three times in only eleven
verses.
The
psalm itself does not tell us the specific occasion in David’s life which
prompted this song. In Psalm 51 – which was clearly written after David’s sin
with Bathsheba and against Uriah – David promised to “teach transgressors Your
ways” (Psalm 51:13), and this psalm may be the fulfillment of that vow. John
Trapp said that Psalm 32 and 51 are “tuned together.”
“It
is a Psalm of penitence, but it is also the song of a ransomed soul rejoicing
in the wonders of the grace of God. Sin is dealt with; sorrow is comforted;
ignorance is instructed.”
“This
was Saint Augustine’s favorite psalm. Augustine had it inscribed on the wall
next to his bed before he died in order to meditate on it better.”
· Remember the redemption from guilt.
· Remember the release from the hypocrisy and stress of double-living.
· Remember the protection God gives His people.
· Remember the guidance of the LORD.[1]
Collect for Psalm 32: Lord God, you desired to keep from us your
wrath and so did not spare your holy servant Jesus Christ, who was wounded for
our sins. We are your prodigal children, but we come back to you confessing our
sins. Embrace us, that we may rejoice in your mercy together with your beloved
Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.[2]
-22 March, 2022
[2] Collect for Psalm 32, For All the Saints, A Prayer Book For and By the Church, Vol. I © 1994 The American Lutheran Publicity Bureau, Delhi, NY
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