I. Read Psalm 32
1. Blessed is he
whose transgressions are forgiven
whose sins are covered
2. Blessed is the man
whose sin the Lord does not count
against him
and whose spirit there is no deceit.
3. When I kept silent,
my bones wasted away
through my groaning all day long.
4. For day and night
your hand was upon me;
my strength was sapped
as in the heat of summer.
5. Then I acknowledged my sin to you
and did not cover up my iniquity.
I said, “I will confess
My transgressions to the Lord”—
And you forgave
The guilt of my sin.
6. Therefore let everyone who is godly
pray to you
while you may be found;
surely when the mighty waters rise,
they will not reach him.
7. You are my hiding place;
you will protect me from trouble
and surround me with songs of
deliverance
8. I will instruct you and teach you in the
way you should go;
I will counsel you and watch over
you.
9. Do not be like the horse or the mule,
which have to be controlled by bit and bridle
or they will not come to you.
10 Many are the woes of the wicked,
but the Lord’s unfailing love
surrounds the man who trusts in
him.
11. Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you
righteous;
sing, all you who are upright in
heart!
Introduction: There are several interesting points about this psalm. First, there is a note that states this psalm is a ‘maskil’ of David. A maskil is thought by some to be a psalm written by David during the time he did himself from those who sought to harm him. Recall that David fled from Saul and others in his lifetime. In verse seven David affirms the Lord as his hiding place, a refuge, a place of protection. Second, note the change of voice throughout this psalm. At times David comments on truths from a third person point of view (vs. 1,2,6,10,11). At other times he speaks of his own experience and addresses this in prayer to the Lord (vs. 3,4,5,7). At another point in the psalm he appears to take the voice of the Lord as he instructs (8,9).
Answer these questions in your words as you reflect on the truths of this psalm:
- What the general timeless truths that David expresses in his third person statements?
- What truths does David express from his own personal experience in his relationship with God?
- How do David’s circumstances at that time add meaning to what he writes?
- How would these truths connect with your life in your moments of struggle?
5. What truths come from the voice of the Lord in this psalm and how do we appropriate these promises in our life?
II. Pray Psalm 32
Write out a short prayer expressing your own response to these truths. Pray in response to the general truths in this psalm. Pray in response to David’s own personal statements. Pray in response to what the Lord promises in this psalm.
III. Sing Psalm 32. Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart! Apply this verse right now by using these musical versions:
- Psalm 32 (Music in the Outline).
- Use this metrical version of Psalm 32 written by Isaac Watts. It can be sung to the familiar tune of Amazing Grace.
| 1 Happy the man to whom his God No more imputes his sin,But, washed in the Redeemer’s blood,Hath made his garments clean.2 Happy beyond expression heWho debts are thus discharged;
And from the guilty bondage free, He feels his soul enlarged.
3 His spirit hates deceit and lies, His words are all sincere; He guards his heart, he guards his eyes, To keep his conscience clear.
4 While I my inward guilt suppressed, No quiet could I find; Thy wrath lay burning in my breast, And racked my tortured mind.
5 Then I confessed my troubled thoughts, My secret sins revealed; Thy pard’ning grace forgave my faults, Thy grace my pardon sealed.
6 This shall invite thy saints to pray; When like a raging flood Temptations rise, our strength and stay Is a forgiving God. |
| Page Copyright 2001, Music for the Church of God |
31 Days with God 