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Discover the Arts! Each day a different image from the Literary, Performing, or Visual Arts representing a portion of Scripture
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2015 March 5



Penitent St Jerome (c. 1424)
Fra Angelico (c. 1395 - 1455)
Italian Renaissance Style
Princeton University Art Museum, Princeton, New Jersey, USA
Image Source: Web Gallery of Art


     Explanation: Psalm 32 is one of seven Penitential Psalms. In it David speaks of the blessedness of forgiveness contrasted with the torment of guilt. Today's painting depicts penitence.

          [ THEMATICALLY AND CHRONOLOGICALLY RELATED SCRIPTURES: 2 Samuel 11. 2 Samuel 12. Penitential Psalms: Psalm 6. Psalm 32. Psalm 38. Psalm 51. Psalm 102. Psalm 130. Psalm 143. ]

          [ CHRONOLOGY: General. Patriarchs (Traditional). Judges # 1. Judges # 2. Kings # 1. Kings # 2. Prophets # 1. Prophets # 2. NT # 1. NT # 2. NT # 3. ]

          [ MAPS: Maps # 1. Maps # 2. Maps # 3. Maps # 4. Maps # 5. ]

          [ COMMENTARIES, ETC: GENERAL: Bible Study Tools; Bible Hub: Study Light; Blue Letter Bible // PSALMS: Monergism: Precept Austin: The Treasury of David; John Gill; John Calvin - Volumes 1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

          [ MUSIC: GENERAL: The Cyber Hymnal // PSALMS: Genevan Psalter (Instrumental). Psalm 32 - #1. Psalm 32 - #2. Psalm 32 - #3. ]

     David begins Psalm 32 by stating that when someone's transgression and sin is covered he is blessed. And he is blessed when the LORD cleanses him from iniquity and guile -- or deceit, compare John 1:47 (1-2). David admits that when he failed to confess his sin it caused him bodily distress day and night (3-4). But David acknowledged his sin and found forgiveness. Likewise, when godly men seek God in prayer, God delivers them from overwhelming danger (5-6). So David prays to the LORD, calling the LORD his hiding place and confessing his confidence that the LORD will preserve him from trouble and give him songs of deliverance (7). The LORD responds by promising to teach David the way in which he should go. And he exhorts David not to be self-willed like a horse or a mule which have to be controlled by a bit and bridle (8-9). David closes with a warning that the wicked will have many sorrows; but those who trust in the LORD shall have mercy. So he tells those who are upright to be glad, to rejoice in the LORD, and to shout for joy (10-11).


THE PSALTER:

BOOK ONE OF FIVE:

Psalms 1-41.


Psalm 32

1 A Psalm of David, Maschil. *

Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
2 Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.

3 When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long.
4 For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah.

5 I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.
6 For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him.

7 Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.

8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.
9 Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.

10 Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the LORD, mercy shall compass him about.
11 Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.


* NOTE: On Opening and Closing Comments in the Psalms.
[Some commentators take the Psalm in Habakkuk 3 to be a standard model for the Psalms.
Habakkuk's Psalm begins with the name of the composer (Habakkuk) and a musical notation ("upon Shigionoth").
It closes with a dedication or a "send to" notice ("To the chief singer on my stringed instruments").
I have arranged similar material, where it is found in the Psalter, in accord with the model in Habakkuk.]




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