Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
The Title, "Maschil," is explained by the Hebrew cognate verb (Psalms 32:8), "I will INSTRUCT thee" ['askiylkaa]. Compare Psalms 47:7, "with understanding" (the same Hebrew), Proverbs 21:11; especially Psalms 53:1-6, where, as here, the title is explained in the psalm itself. This is the first psalm in which this title is found. It is found before twelve other psalms. While all the Psalms, as all Scripture, contain instruction (2 Timothy 3:16), these psalms are so inscribed in order to draw attention to this as their special design, even in cases where this design is not apparent at first sight.
The definiteness of the language implies that some particular sin is referred to by David, which God had forgiven him. The view seems, therefore, correct which supposes the sin to have been the adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah. Not a mere infirmity, but a willful "iniquity," and a series of "transgressions," are spoken of in Psalms 32:5 (cf. 1 Kings 15:5). A whole year, according to 2 Samuel 11:1-27, passed in sin before David repented. Hence, according to Psalms 32:3-4, a long period of mental darkness and anguish ensued, wherein his "bones waxed old through his roaring all the day long," and 'day and night the Lord's hand was heavy neon him.' Nathan's mission to him was not the first movement in his penitence (2 Samuel 12:1-31), but brought to a crisis and an actual confession of sin the repentance which had been slowly and painfully working in him for some time before. Then, as here (Psalms 32:5), confession was followed by instantaneous forgiveness: there was an immediate transition from agonizing fears (Psalms 32:4) to complete pardon (2 Samuel 12:13): "David said unto Nathan, I have sinned against the Lord. And Nathan said unto David, The Lord also hath put away thy sin; thou shall not die." Psalms 51:4; Psalms 51:11, refers to the same sin, and shows a state of mind in which there was a long-continued struggle between fear of final casting away and hope of forgiveness.
Psalms 32:1-11. Blessedness of him whose sin is covered (Psalms 32:1-2); misery of David until forgiven (Psalms 32:3-4); instant forgiveness followed confession (Psalms 32:5); thus others are led to pray in an acceptable time, as he has been compassed with songs of deliverance (Psalms 32:6-7); instruction drawn from the history-we should be led by God's love, not have to be curbed like the brute (Psalms 32:8-9); sorrow awaits the wicked, joy the righteous (Psalms 32:10-11).
Blessed ... transgression ... covered - "forgiven" - literally, borne; alluding prophetically to Messiah, the Sin-bearer (Isaiah 53:1-12), of whom the scapegoat was a type. "Covered" - namely, by God, not by the sinner himself (Psalms 85:2). The sinner must discover his sin by confession, if he desires God to cover it with forgiveness (Psalms 32:5; Proverbs 28:13). Upon the sinner's repentance his sin is covered from vengeance. This was the symbolical meaning of the mercy-seat or covering of the ark. It hid from the sight of God the tables of the law, which was the handwriting of our sins (Colossians 2:14). Christ is the Antitype to the mercy-seat (Romans 3:25), "whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation (literally, a propitiatory: hilasteerion (G2435) through faith in his blood." The image is that of something covered out of sight. The Hebrew х kaacah (H3680)] is different from the ordinary one for to 'cover,' or "make reconciliation for iniquity" (Daniel 9:24) х kaapar (H3722)]. The three expressions, "transgression" х pesha` (H6588), willful and rebellious sin], "sin" х chaTaa'ah (H2403), sins of infirmity], and "iniquity" х `awon (H5771), perversity, moral crookedness], are drawn from the cardinal passage on the forgiving character of God (Exodus 34:7), "forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin" (cf. note, Psalms 19:13). The three may also be distinguished thus - "transgression" is sin of commission; "sin" is deviation from the mark or standard-God's Word; "iniquity," all that is opposed to equity and righteousness.