Psalms 32:2

KJV

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

KJV (with Strong's)

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}.

Complete Jewish Bible

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

Berean Standard Bible

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

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 32:2 articulates the profound blessedness of an individual whose sin is not held against them by the LORD, and whose inner being is characterized by genuine sincerity rather than deceit. This verse, a cornerstone of David's psalm of confession and forgiveness, celebrates the liberating joy and deep peace that flow from divine grace and an upright, transparent spirit before God. It highlights the dual aspects of God's gracious act of non-imputation and the believer's responsive integrity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 32 stands as one of the seven Penitential Psalms, deeply reflecting on the experience of sin, repentance, and the subsequent joy of divine forgiveness. It immediately follows Psalm 31, a psalm of trust and deliverance, and precedes Psalm 33, a psalm of praise for God's faithfulness. Within Psalm 32 itself, verse 2 serves as a pivotal statement of the blessed state, contrasting sharply with the preceding verse's declaration of blessedness for the forgiven, and the subsequent verses' vivid description of the misery of unconfessed sin (as seen in [Psalm 32:3-4](/psalms/32-3 "Psalm 32:3-4 - The Misery of Unconfessed Sin")). The psalm is widely understood to be a personal reflection by King David, likely stemming from his grievous sin with Bathsheba and Uriah, and the period of agonizing silence and unconfessed guilt that followed, before the prophetic confrontation by Nathan and David's subsequent repentance (narrated in [2 Samuel 11](/2_samuel/11 "2 Samuel 11 - David's Sin with Bathsheba") and [2 Samuel 12](/2_samuel/12 "2 Samuel 12 - Nathan's Rebuke and David's Repentance")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In ancient Israel, sin was understood not merely as a moral failing but as a breach of covenant with a holy God, carrying significant social and spiritual consequences. The Law provided for sacrifices to atone for certain sins, but the deepest understanding of forgiveness often involved a direct, heartfelt confession to God, as exemplified by David. The concept of "imputing" or "reckoning" sin was familiar in legal and commercial contexts, where accounts were kept and debts were either charged or cleared. For God to "not impute iniquity" was a radical act of grace, akin to a divine declaration of "no debt owed" despite clear transgression. The societal expectation was for integrity, especially from leaders, yet human fallibility was also acknowledged. David, as king, understood the weight of his public and private sins and the profound relief of God's mercy, which went beyond mere ritualistic cleansing to a deep, internal restoration.
* **Key Themes:** This verse encapsulates several profound theological themes central to the Psalter and the broader biblical narrative. The primary theme is **Divine Non-Imputation of Sin**, highlighting God's sovereign and gracious act of not counting a person's transgressions against them, a concept foundational to the biblical understanding of justification. The Apostle Paul famously draws upon this very psalm in [Romans 4:6-8](/romans/4-6 "Romans 4:6-8 - Imputed Righteousness by Faith") to illustrate how righteousness is credited to believers by faith, independent of works, underscoring the boundless nature of God's mercy in forgiving sin. Secondly, the verse emphasizes **Sincerity and Integrity**, captured in the phrase "in whose spirit there is no guile." This speaks to an internal state of honesty, transparency, and freedom from deceit before God and others. It is not a call to sinless perfection, but rather to a genuine desire for righteousness and a willingness to confess sin rather than conceal it or live hypocritically. Jesus himself commended Nathanael as "an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile!" in [John 1:47](/john/1-47 "John 1:47 - Jesus' Commendation of Nathanael"), underscoring the high value placed on such inner integrity. Finally, the opening word "Blessed" (Hebrew: _ʼashrê_) introduces the theme of **True Blessedness or Happiness**, signifying a deep contentment, spiritual well-being, and divine favor. This blessedness is not contingent upon human merit or a lack of sin, but rather on the divine act of forgiveness and the resulting peace of a clear conscience and an honest spirit.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Imputeth (Hebrew, _ḥāšaḇ'_):** This verb means "to reckon," "to account," "to count," or "to credit." In a theological context, it refers to God's act of crediting something (like righteousness) or, as here, *not* crediting something (like sin) to an individual's account. It's a crucial term for understanding the doctrine of justification, where God, in His grace, does not hold our sins against us, but rather attributes Christ's righteousness to us. This is a divine declarative act, a legal pronouncement that changes one's standing before God.
* **Iniquity (Hebrew, _ʿāwōn'_):** This term denotes twistedness, perversity, or moral crookedness. It often carries the connotation of guilt or the punishment due for sin, emphasizing the deviation from God's righteous standard. It refers to the moral distortion and culpability that results from transgression, highlighting the severity of what God chooses not to impute.
* **Guile (Hebrew, _rĕmîyāh'_):** This word signifies deceit, trickery, treachery, or fraud. A spirit "without guile" is therefore one characterized by honesty, straightforwardness, and sincerity, free from hidden motives, hypocrisy, or a deceptive heart. It implies a transparency and integrity in one's inner disposition before God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Blessed [is] the man":** The psalm opens with a declaration of profound happiness or spiritual well-being. The Hebrew word _ʼashrê_ (blessed) is often translated as "Oh, the happiness of..." or "Fortunate is the one who..." It speaks of a deep, abiding contentment that comes from a right relationship with God, not from external circumstances or material possessions. It sets the tone for the joyful liberation described in the rest of the verse.
* **"unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity":** This is the core of the blessedness. It describes God's gracious act of not holding sin against an individual. The LORD (Yahweh) is the active agent in this declaration, exercising His sovereign prerogative to forgive. "Imputeth not" signifies a divine accounting where the debt of sin is cancelled, not merely overlooked. It's a legal and moral declaration of "not guilty" in the divine court, despite actual transgression. This non-imputation is the basis for true peace and freedom from the burden of guilt.
* **"and in whose spirit [there is] no guile":** This clause describes the internal state of the blessed person. It's not a condition for forgiveness but a characteristic that accompanies it. A spirit "without guile" implies honesty, transparency, and sincerity before God. It means there is no hidden sin, no attempt to deceive God or oneself about one's true spiritual condition. This integrity of spirit is a fruit of genuine repentance and a heart made new by divine grace, willing to walk in truth and openness with God.

#### Literary Devices
Psalm 32:2 masterfully employs **Synonymous Parallelism**, a common feature in Hebrew poetry, where the second line or clause reiterates or expands upon the thought of the first, often with slightly different wording. In this verse, "unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity" is paralleled by "and in whose spirit [there is] no guile." While not perfectly synonymous, the two clauses describe two facets of the same blessed state: God's external act of non-imputation and the internal reality of a sincere heart that acknowledges its need for such grace. The absence of "guile" is the spiritual posture that allows one to receive and experience the non-imputation of sin. The verse also uses **Metaphor** in the concept of "imputing" or "reckoning," drawing from the commercial or legal world to describe a divine transaction. The phrase "no guile" also functions as a **Metonymy** or **Synecdoche**, where the absence of deceit (guile) represents the broader characteristic of integrity and honesty in one's entire being before God.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Psalms 32:2 stands as a profound declaration of God's redemptive grace, revealing that true blessedness is found not in human perfection but in divine forgiveness. It underscores the biblical doctrine of justification by grace through faith, where God graciously chooses not to count sin against those who confess and repent. This non-imputation of iniquity is a unilateral act of God's mercy, removing the legal and spiritual barrier between humanity and the Holy One. The accompanying characteristic of a spirit "without guile" highlights that genuine forgiveness fosters an internal transformation, leading to integrity and transparency rather than continued deception or hypocrisy. This verse beautifully illustrates the dual nature of salvation: God's gracious provision and the resultant renewal of the human heart, leading to a life lived in truth and freedom.

* [Romans 4:6-8](/romans/4-6 "Romans 4:6-8 - Paul's Use of Psalm 32 on Imputed Righteousness")
* [2 Corinthians 5:19](/2_corinthians/5-19 "2 Corinthians 5:19 - God Not Counting Sins Against Us")
* [1 John 1:9](/1_john/1-9 "1 John 1:9 - Confession and Forgiveness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse offers immense comfort and a profound challenge. It assures us that true happiness and peace are not found in pretending to be sinless or in hiding our failures, but in humbly acknowledging our iniquity before God and receiving His boundless forgiveness. For the believer, it is a powerful reminder of the incredible grace of God, who, through Christ, has chosen not to impute our sins to us. This truth should ignite deep gratitude and liberate us from the crushing weight of guilt and shame. Furthermore, the call to have a spirit "without guile" challenges us to cultivate radical honesty and transparency in our relationship with God and with others. It means living authentically, without hypocrisy, and being quick to confess when we stumble, rather than attempting to conceal our true selves. Embracing God's forgiveness and striving for integrity leads to a life marked by profound peace, joy, and spiritual freedom, even amidst life's inevitable challenges.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God's act of "not imputing iniquity" impact your sense of security and peace in your relationship with Him?**
* **In what areas of your life might you be tempted to live with "guile" or a lack of transparency, and how can you cultivate a more sincere spirit before God and others?**
* **What is the relationship between confessing sin (as implied by the context of Psalm 32) and experiencing the blessedness of non-imputation?**
* **How does the blessedness described in this verse differ from the world's definition of happiness, and what does this mean for your pursuit of joy?**

### FAQ
**Does "no guile" mean that a forgiven person never sins again, or is perfectly honest all the time?**

Answer: No, "no guile" does not mean sinless perfection or that a forgiven person will never stumble or act deceptively again. Rather, it describes a fundamental orientation of the heart—a spirit that is characterized by sincerity, transparency, and a genuine desire to walk in truth before God. The context of Psalm 32, which is a psalm of confession, clearly implies that even the righteous can fall into sin and experience the misery of unconfessed guilt before finding blessedness in forgiveness. The "guile" referred to here is primarily the *attempt to hide sin* or to *live hypocritically* before God, as David himself experienced before his confession (see [Psalm 32:3-4](/psalms/32-3 "Psalm 32:3-4 - The Misery of Unconfessed Sin")). A person "without guile" is one who, when they do sin, are quick to acknowledge it, confess it, and seek God's forgiveness, rather than trying to conceal it or deceive themselves or others. It speaks to an inner integrity that embraces truth, even about one's own failings.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 32:2 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the preeminent "man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity," not because of a need for forgiveness, but because He lived a life of perfect righteousness, "in whom there is no guile" (as echoed in [1 Peter 2:22](/1_peter/2-22 "1 Peter 2:22 - Christ's Sinlessness") and [Isaiah 53:9](/isaiah/53-9 "Isaiah 53:9 - The Suffering Servant's Innocence")). More significantly, Christ is the means by which God can justly "impute not iniquity" to sinful humanity. Through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, Jesus became "sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him" ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Our Righteousness")). He bore the imputation of our sins, allowing God to then impute His righteousness to all who believe. The blessedness described in this psalm, the joy of forgiveness and a clear conscience, is fully realized in the new covenant established by Christ's blood. Because of Him, believers are declared righteous, their sins are not counted against them ([Romans 4:7-8](/romans/4-7 "Romans 4:7-8 - The Blessedness of Forgiveness in Christ")), and they are empowered by the Holy Spirit to live with a genuine, guileless spirit, reflecting the integrity of their Savior ([John 1:47](/john/1-47 "John 1:47 - Jesus' Commendation of Nathanael") and [1 Peter 2:1](/1_peter/2-1 "1 Peter 2:1 - Laying Aside Guile")). Thus, the psalmist's longing for non-imputation and a sincere heart is perfectly met and made possible through the person and work of Jesus Christ.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.