MEDITATIONS IN THE PSALMS [An outline of the Psalm, A good devotional study when using the scriptures indicated] Psalm 32:8-11, Lesson 3 “PARDON” In verses 1-7 David speaks to the LORD; vs. 8-9 Jehovah speaks to David; and vs. 10-11 David concludes by leaving a word to the two great classes of men. Why do sinners receive pardon? David had prayed for pardon in v.5, and found grace in receiving it. Now the LORD speaks to him and all who have found pardon as well, “I will instruct thee …” We find in pardon that we should not live henceforth after our lusts, but that we may be educated in holiness and trained in perfection. “Neither do I condemn thee” – said our Lord to the adulterous woman, “go and sin no more.” “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go.” Here is a covenant blessing dear children (Isa.54:13). I never sat at the feet of Gamaliel, I have very little knowledge of Aristotle and Plato, but the blessed Holy One is teaching me to follow the Lamb whithersoever He goes and that’s knowledge that will carry over into eternity. “I will guide thee with my eye.” Sometimes a nod of the head or a wink of the eye is all we need for direction to move ahead. How ready should we be to obey the slightest hints of our blessed Master. To have His eye is to have His grace, “the eyes of the Lord your God are always on it” (Deut.11:12); the land was under covenant to God. Everything under His covenant has His special care. What separates man from beast? “Understanding!” The greatest wealth in all of life is to understand and know God (Jer.9:23-24). Conversion, not degrees, elevates men to their original status. Unconverted and unregenerate men are as brute beast (Isa.1:3-6). Am I a child of God or not? Are you a sheep, or a horse or mule? You don’t harness up a lamb with bit and bridle as you must fence brute beast; sheep follow the Lamb wherever He goes. (John 10:1-6; 26:27; Ps.95:6-11) Vs 10-11, he concludes by addressing the two great classes of men, ‘The Wicked’ and ‘The Righteous.’ His Word to the wicked, “Many sorrows shall be to the wicked.” Like the obstinate horse and mule, they meet with many sorrows. It is sad enough that they meet with so many in the here and now, yet if they persist in their way this life offers only a foretaste of the infinite sorrows of the hereafter. Another sad thing is their joys (whatever they be) are temporary and evanescent as the morning dew; their sorrows are multiplying and ripening to the eternal day of full harvest. They sow to the wind today and reap the whirlwind tomorrow. They boast of sin today, but will reap eternal despair tomorrow. “Be not deceived, God is not mocked, whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” His Word to the righteous; “But he that trusteth in the LORD.” He doesn’t say he shall not meet with sorrow, but that every sorrow shall be attended with mercy. Faith is placed opposite of wickedness. “Faith in Christ is the great charmer of life’s cares, and he who possesses it dwells in an atmosphere of grace, surrounded with a body-guard of mercies.” He concludes with v.11, Be glad in the Lord. My soul! And shouldn’t we “be glad?” We have received free pardon from the King of kings with invitation to eat forever at His table. ~~Terry Worthan, 1938-2022
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