Psalms 32:6 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee— For this, namely, because thou art merciful, shall every one that is godly, truly penitent, and sincerely resolved for the future to serve thee, pray unto thee, in a time when thou mayest be found; while there is room for repentance and reconciliation with thee. See Isaiah 55:6. The Chaldee renders it, in an acceptable time; the Arabic, in a time of hearing. There is considerable difficulty in the next clause. By the floods of great waters, some understanding dangers and distresses; agreeably to which the meaning is, that in the greatest difficulties and distresses, which may surround him like a deluge of water, they (those waters or distresses) shall not come nigh him, so as to swallow him up; but he shall in the end be delivered from them. Dr. Hammond, however, observes, that the words may be otherwise rendered, But as for the inundation of many, or great waters, (hereby signifying the wicked man, who, like a torrent, breaks over the bank, transgresses the laws, and sweeps and carries away all before him) they will not come nigh, or at all approach unto him; God, that is. They run on obstinate in their course; they care not for, nor ever look after God. Thus the opposition in the former and latter part of the verse seems to be exact; nor is the change of person from thee to him any objection, that being frequent in this poetic writing. See Psalms 18.