Psalm 32, from the
pre-exilic period, is a hymn of individual thanksgiving for healing, although
some scholars consider it a composite wisdom psalm. The tradition of the church
identifies seven penitential psalms. The poet had tried to hide his sin from
God. His conscience afflicted him, but
removed when he confessed. He warns
others not to hide their sins. Its theme
is the spiritual, psychological and physical dynamic of the consciousness of
sin, the necessity of confession and the effects of forgiveness. Barth looks at
the passage as having to do with justification in its unity and totality.[1] Based
upon this passage, Pannenberg[2]
says that Melanchthon thought that receiving forgiveness of sins is the same as
justification. Verses 1-2 begin the psalm with two beatitudes, which also are
indications of a wisdom tradition. Blessedness is for those who receive
forgiveness “and in whose spirit there is no deceit.” As Bart sees it, one who
can speak this way is one who knows the covenant faithfulness of the God of
Israel, and therefore oneself as one acquitted by God. Verses 3-7 are in the
form of a confession before God that led from pained conscience to confession.
He kept his sin silent, and his body wasted away. The hand of God was heavy on
him, and his strength dried up. Barth will stress that this silence was an
expression of the opposition to God. His silence about his past is the sinful
thing he must face. His silence was the seed of death. His silence did him no
good, as he likely thought. In fact, he was making himself insufferable. He
withstood God, and God withstood him. He was at the point of wasting away
because of the falseness and insincerity of his heart that revealed his
conflict with God. However, when he acknowledged and confessed his sin, the
Lord forgave him. The sinful thing about the past falls away; his unruliness
curbed. He can let God lead him. The rush of mighty waters, symbolizing
distress, shall not reach those who pray to the Lord. The Lord is a place of
refuge. In verses 8-11, we find
instructive conclusions from the life of the poet. The poet will instruct and
teach in the way the reader or listener should go. The poet will give counsel.
Do not be stubborn, like a horse or mule. Barth says that the poet lets God
tell him of the unruly heart he has. He did not let God lead him to where he
ought to come and go. The torments of wicked are many, “but steadfast love
surrounds those who trust in the Lord.” Pannenberg[3]
reminds us that biblical and Christian hope rests on faith. Hope in the prayers
of the Psalms is always in God. The psalm ends with a call to the righteous to
be glad and joyful.
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