Psalms 32:1

By David; a well-written song. ²  How blessed ³  is the one whose rebellious acts are forgiven, ⁴  whose sin is pardoned! ⁵ 

Ne 4:5; Ps 1:1,2; Ps 40:4; Ps 42:1; Ps 45:1; Ps 52:1; Ps 53:1; Ps 55:1; Ps 84:12; Ps 85:2; Ps 89:15; Ps 106:3; Ps 119:1,2; Ps 128:1; Isa 1:18; Isa 43:25; Isa 44:22; Jer 17:7,8; Mic 7:18,19; Mt 5:3-12; Mt 16:17; Lu 11:28; Ac 13:38,39; Ro 4:6-8; Re 22:14

¹ sn Psalm 32. The psalmist recalls the agony he experienced prior to confessing his sins and affirms that true happiness comes when one’s sins are forgiven. He then urges others not to be stubborn, but to turn to God while forgiveness is available, for God extends his mercy to the repentant, while the wicked experience nothing but sorrow.

² tn The meaning of the Hebrew term מַשְׂכִּיל (maskil) is uncertain. The word is derived from a verb meaning “to be prudent; to be wise.” Various options are: “a contemplative song,” “a song imparting moral wisdom,” or “a skillful [i.e., well-written] song.” The term occurs in the superscriptions of Pss 32, 42, 44, 45, 52-55, 74, 78, 88, 89, and 142, as well as in Ps 47:7.

³ tn The Hebrew noun is an abstract plural. The word often refers metonymically to the happiness that God-given security and prosperity produce (see Pss 1:1, 3; 2:12; 34:9; 41:1; 65:4; 84:12; 89:15; 106:3; 112:1; 127:5; 128:1; 144:15). Here it refers to the relief that one experiences when one’s sins are forgiven.

⁴ tn Heb “lifted up.”

⁵ tn Heb “covered over.”