Psalms 32:2

Blessed [is] the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit [there is] no guile.

Blessed {H835} is the man {H120} unto whom the LORD {H3068} imputeth {H2803} not iniquity {H5771}, and in whose spirit {H7307} there is no guile {H7423}.

How blessed those to whom ADONAI imputes no guilt, in whose spirit is no deceit!

Blessed is the man whose iniquity the LORD does not count against him, in whose spirit there is no deceit.

Blessed is the man unto whom Jehovah imputeth not iniquity, And in whose spirit there is no guile.

Psalms 32:2 KJV describes the profound blessedness and inner peace experienced by an individual whose sins are not held against them by God, and whose spirit is marked by genuine sincerity rather than deceit. This verse, part of a psalm attributed to King David, celebrates the joyous freedom found in divine forgiveness and an upright heart.

Context

Psalm 32 is one of the seven Penitential Psalms, reflecting deep repentance and the subsequent joy of forgiveness. It is widely believed to be a reflection of David's own experience of sin, particularly in relation to Bathsheba and Uriah, and the subsequent period of unconfessed guilt and physical suffering, followed by the relief of confession and restoration (as detailed in 2 Samuel 11 and 2 Samuel 12). This verse specifically highlights the blessed state that results from God's gracious act of non-imputation, contrasting sharply with the misery of unconfessed sin described in Psalm 32:3-4.

Key Themes

  • Divine Non-Imputation of Sin: The core message is God's gracious act of not counting or reckoning a person's iniquity against them. This concept is foundational to the biblical understanding of justification. The Apostle Paul famously quotes Psalm 32 in Romans 4:6-8 to explain how righteousness is imputed to believers by faith, independent of works, underscoring God's mercy in forgiving sin.
  • Sincerity and Integrity: The phrase "in whose spirit there is no guile" emphasizes the internal state of the forgiven individual. It speaks of a heart that is honest, transparent, and without deceit before God and others. This isn't about sinless perfection, but a genuine desire to live righteously and confess sin when it occurs, rather than hiding it or living hypocritically. Jesus himself lauded Nathanael as "an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!" in John 1:47, highlighting the value of such integrity.
  • Blessedness (Happiness): The opening word "Blessed" (Hebrew: ʼashrê) signifies true happiness, deep contentment, and favor from God. This blessedness is not found in a lack of sin, but in the divine act of forgiveness and the resulting peace of a clear conscience and an honest spirit.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Imputeth" (Hebrew: ḥāšaḇ): This verb means "to reckon," "to account," or "to credit." In a theological sense, it refers to God crediting something (like righteousness) or not crediting something (like sin) to an individual's account. It's a crucial term for understanding the doctrine of justification, where God does not hold our sins against us, but rather attributes Christ's righteousness to us (2 Corinthians 5:21).
  • "Iniquity" (Hebrew: ʿāwōn): Refers to twistedness, perversity, or moral crookedness, often carrying the idea of guilt or punishment for sin.
  • "Guile" (Hebrew: rĕmîyāh): Implies deceit, trickery, or treachery. A spirit "without guile" is one characterized by honesty, straightforwardness, and sincerity, free from hidden motives or hypocrisy. Believers are called to lay aside all guile (1 Peter 2:1).

Practical Application

This verse offers profound encouragement and a call to introspection. It reminds us that true blessedness comes not from pretending to be sinless, but from acknowledging our failings before God and receiving His forgiveness. For believers, it underscores the incredible grace of God, who, through Christ, does not impute our sins to us. It also challenges us to cultivate a spirit of genuine sincerity, living transparently before God and others, free from deceit or hypocrisy. Embracing God's forgiveness and living with integrity leads to a life of profound peace and joy, even amidst life's challenges.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • John 1:47

    Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!

  • Revelation 14:5

    And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are without fault before the throne of God.

  • 2 Corinthians 5:19

    To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.

  • 2 Corinthians 5:21

    For he hath made him [to be] sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

  • 1 Peter 2:1

    ¶ Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings,

  • 1 Peter 2:2

    As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

  • Leviticus 17:4

    And bringeth it not unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, to offer an offering unto the LORD before the tabernacle of the LORD; blood shall be imputed unto that man; he hath shed blood; and that man shall be cut off from among his people:

Add TrulyRandomVerse to your Home Screen for quick access!

← Back