Psa 32 | MHCC | e4.org | 1,2 Sin is the cause of our misery; but the true believer's transgressions of the Divine law are all forgiven, being covered with the atonement. Christ bare his sins, therefore they are not imputed to him. The righteousness of Christ being reckoned to us, and we being made the righteousness of God in him, our iniquity is not imputed, God having laid upon him the iniquity of us all, and made him a sin-offering for us. Not to impute sin, is God's act, for he is the Judge. It is God that justifies. Notice the character of him whose sins are pardoned; he is sincere, and seeks sanctification by the power of the Holy Ghost. He does not profess to repent, with an intention to indulge in sin, because the Lord is ready to forgive. He will not abuse the doctrine of free grace. And to the man whose iniquity is forgiven, all manner of blessings are promised.

‏ Psalms 32

* The happiness of a pardoned sinner. (1,2) The misery that went

before, and the comfort that followed the confession of sins.

(3-7) Sinners instructed, believers encouraged. (8-11)1,2 Sin is the cause of our misery; but the true believer's

transgressions of the Divine law are all forgiven, being covered

with the atonement. Christ bare his sins, therefore they are not

imputed to him. The righteousness of Christ being reckoned to

us, and we being made the righteousness of God in him, our

iniquity is not imputed, God having laid upon him the iniquity

of us all, and made him a sin-offering for us. Not to impute

sin, is God's act, for he is the Judge. It is God that

justifies. Notice the character of him whose sins are pardoned;

he is sincere, and seeks sanctification by the power of the Holy

Ghost. He does not profess to repent, with an intention to

indulge in sin, because the Lord is ready to forgive. He will

not abuse the doctrine of free grace. And to the man whose

iniquity is forgiven, all manner of blessings are promised. 3-7 It is very difficult to bring sinful man humbly to accept

free mercy, with a full confession of his sins and

self-condemnation. But the true and only way to peace of

conscience, is, to confess our sins, that they may be forgiven;

to declare them that we may be justified. Although repentance

and confession do not merit the pardon of transgression, they

are needful to the real enjoyment of forgiving mercy. And what

tongue can tell the happiness of that hour, when the soul,

oppressed by sin, is enabled freely to pour forth its sorrows

before God, and to take hold of his covenanted mercy in Christ

Jesus! Those that would speed in prayer, must seek the Lord,

when, by his providence, he calls them to seek him, and, by his

Spirit, stirs them up to seek him. In a time of finding, when

the heart is softened with grief, and burdened with guilt; when

all human refuge fails; when no rest can be found to the

troubled mind, then it is that God applies the healing balm by

his Spirit. 8-11 God teaches by his word, and guides with the secret

intimations of his will. David gives a word of caution to

sinners. The reason for this caution is, that the way of sin

will certainly end in sorrow. Here is a word of comfort to

saints. They may see that a life of communion with God is far

the most pleasant and comfortable. Let us rejoice, O Lord Jesus,

in thee, and in thy salvation; so shall we rejoice indeed