A Psalm Of Contemplation

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Let us consider a portion of Psalm 32, the first of the psalms to be called, “a contemplation.” It is a psalm of David,

“Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man to whom the LORD does not impute iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.” (Psalm 32:1-2 – NKJV)

The word “contemplation” means, “a concentration on spiritual things as a form of private devotion; an act of considering with attention.” It would seem, and context seems to support this, that these words of holy Scripture are something we need to stop and concentrate on, to consider with our attention.

This psalm, along with psalm 51, has to do with that period in King David’s life when he so blatantly transgressed against God in acts related to his affair with Bathsheba. David deals with the weighty matter of sin. In this psalm there are three different words used to describe sin; “transgression . . . sin . . . iniquity.” All of these words reference our rebellion against God, to that which plagues all of mankind and that, if not dealt with in a believer’s life, will surely bring him to a state of anxiety and depression.

David starts his “contemplation” with the counsel of how “blessed” the person is “whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.” How “blessed is the man to whom the LORD does not impute iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.” For, in looking back, David writes,

“When I kept silent, my bones grew old through my groaning all the day long.” (Psalm 32:3 – NKJV)

David was not dealing with his “sin.” He was keeping “silent” about it and in the process he was experiencing an actual physical effect . . . his very “bones grew old” and he was “groaning all the day long.”

“For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; my vitality was turned into the drought of summer” (Psalm 32:4 – NKJV)

It became a most weighty matter for David as he “kept silent” about his sin. These two texts tell us of the anxiety and the depression he experienced because he did not deal with his “sin.”

(NOTE: I would note here that I am convinced that many a psychological, many a physical problem is due to a man not dealing with his transgressions against God, against the One in whose image he was made.)

So how was David to deal with the aching in his “bones,” the “groaning” that was evident “all the day long?” How was he to relieve the “heavy . . . hand” of God that was causing him to lose his very “vitality?”

“I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I have not hidden. I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the LORD’” (Psalm 32:5 – NKJV)

Now, context leads us to three significant truths: (1) It is revealed to us how “blessed” a man is who “is forgiven” his “transgressions,” who “the LORD does not impute iniquity;” (2) it is revealed to us the personal agony that comes about because of not dealing with “sin;” (3) and it is revealed to us the means by which to relieve that agony.

The “heavy . . . hand” of God upon the man of God who has “kept silent” regarding his “transgressions,” his “sin,” is removed by the one who “acknowledges” his “sin,” who says, “I will confess my transgression to the LORD.” For the man of God dealing with his “sin” in true “confession” brings the assurance that,

“And You forgave the iniquity of my sin” (Psalm 32:5 – NKJV)

Certainly this is a great psalm worthy of our contemplation. I would think we would welcome its most wonderful counsel.

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