Heart for Israel

The superscription reads, “A Psalm of David, Maschil”. This is included in the Hebrew text for a reason. The term “Maschil” is didactic ode of spiritual truth. It can be applied to believers of any age, but more specifically, it applies to the Jews at the end of times or in the Last Days. It may be applied to the Faithful Remnant among the Jews who will lead the nation to repent. This is the first of 13 such songs recorded in the book of Psalms (32, 42, 44, 45, 52-55, 74, 78, 88, 89, 142).

The Psalmist begins with an exclamation of how blessed is the man whose transgression is forgiven, whose sins are covered. In the Old Testament, sins could be forgiven on the basis of the shed blood of a sacrifice. But those sins were not removed, only temporarily covered. That temporary period of time would come to an end when sins would be expiated by the coming redeemer’s death and resurrection (Rom.3:25).

Salvation was the same in both the Old and New Testaments. It was by God’s grace and through faith. The example is that of Abraham in Genesis 15:6, who believed God, and it was accounted unto him for righteousness. The idea of “accounted” was to place on another’s account. The Apostle Paul quotes this verse in Romans 4:3 to prove his point that salvation is not of works (v4) but through the faith of the person who believes. Paul uses the Greek term “logizomai” which means to reckon, calculate, count, and consider. The person who believes by faith it is then reckoned on his account to be righteous. That person is declared righteous even though he is not righteous. You will stand before the judgment seat in a court of law and be declared righteous and acquitted of all guilt and crimes.

Next, Paul quotes Psalm 32 in reference to David, making the point that God imputes righteousness without works (v6). This is a message to people of all ages: it is faith in the Messiah, not in works, that saves and brings justification. The godly Jewish remnant at the end of the days will have to come to this understanding when they believe. After their belief, and their call for Messiah, then will come the “sure mercies of David” as noted in Isaiah 55:3 (Zech.12:10; 13:1).

God does not hold our sins against us (v2) He will remove the guilt of the transgression- there is no guile. When guile is removed, it means that salvation has been applied because the sinner has faced up to his sins. He has admitted and confessed to God on the basis of the blood of Messiah.

In v3-4, when David was hiding the sin that he committed with Bathsheba, his body ached, his mind and conscience condemned him. He had no peace day or night, and he was in tears, at least internally. And then in v5, after he is confronted by Nathan the Prophet, David repents and cries out to God.

V6 David warns and encourages everyone who knows the Lord, do not wait, and do not try to hide your sin. Repent as soon as possible and ask God for forgiveness. Don’t make excuses but confess everything.

V7 Since we should not hide our sin from Him, He becomes our hiding place. We reside in Him. For in Him we live, and move, and have our being (Acts 17:28). Our hearts should be singing unto the Lord, songs of deliverance. We should be singing to ourselves in Psalms and Hymns and Spiritual Songs (Eph.5:19).

V8 God will instruct us and guide us in this life. We belong to Him, for we have been bought with a price (1Cor.6:20). V9 You are not an animal, so do not act like one. You can understand moral spiritual truth as a believer. Animals cannot understand spiritual truth, for they are not responsible moral agents.

In v10, a comparison between the wicked and the one who believes or trusts in the Lord. The wicked will be consumed with sorrow, but the believer will be consumed with God’s mercy.

In v11, we see the believer’s heart response to the Lord. Gladness and rejoicing should come out of the heart because of the mercy and blessing granted to us. We should busy ourselves with rejoicing and shouting for joy because God saved us and granted righteousness by faith alone!