Calvin on Psalm 32:11

    Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, O righteous,
        and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!
(Psalm 32:11 ESV)

We spend too much time not being glad in Jehovah to miss the import of this encouraging verse. Calvin explains...

Be glad in Jehovah. After teaching how ready and accessible true happiness is to all the godly, David, with much reason, exhorts them to gladness. He commands them to rejoice in the Lord, as if he had said, There is nothing to prevent them from assuring themselves of God’s favor, seeing he so liberally and so kindly offers to be reconciled to them. In the meantime, we may observe that this is the incomparable fruit of faith which Paul likewise commends, namely, when the consciences of the godly being quiet and cheerful, enjoy peace and spiritual joy. Wherever faith is lively, this holy rejoicing will follow. But since the world’s own impiety prevents it from participating in this joy, David, therefore, addresses the righteous alone, whom he denominates the upright in heart, to teach us that the external appearance of righteousness which pleases men is of no avail in the sight of God. But how does he call those righteous, whose whole happiness consists in the free mercy of God not imputing their sins to them? I answer, that none others are received into favor but those who are dissatisfied with themselves for their sins, and repent with their whole heart; not that this repentance merits pardon, but because faith can never be separated from the spirit of regeneration. When they have begun to devote themselves to God, he accepts the upright disposition of their hearts equally as if it were pure and perfect; for faith not only reconciles a man to God, but also sanctifies whatever is imperfect in him, so that by the free grace of God, he becomes righteous who could never have obtained so great a blessing by any merit of his own.


Calvin, John (2009-06-03). Commentary on Psalms - Volume 1 - Enhanced Version (Calvin's Commentaries) (Kindle Locations 9824-9835). Christian Classics Ethereal Library. Kindle Edition.

Scottish Psalter - Psalm 32

Psalm 32

A Psalm of David, Maschil.

1O blessed is the man to whom is freely pardoned All the transgression he hath done, whose sin is covered.

2Bless’d is the man to whom the Lord imputeth not his sin, And in whose sp’rit there is no guile, nor fraud is found therein.

3When as I did refrain my speech, and silent was my tongue, My bones then waxed old, because I roared all day long.

4For upon me both day and night thine hand did heavy lie, So that my moisture turned is in summer’s drought thereby.

5I thereupon have unto thee my sin acknowledged, And likewise mine iniquity I have not covered:

I will confess unto the Lord my trespasses, said I; And of my sin thou freely didst forgive th’ iniquity.

6For this shall ev’ry godly one his prayer make to thee; In such a time he shall thee seek, as found thou mayest be.

Surely, when floods of waters great do swell up to the brim, They shall not overwhelm his soul, nor once come near to him.

7Thou art my hiding-place, thou shalt from trouble keep me free: Thou with songs of deliverance about shalt compass me.

8I will instruct thee, and thee teach the way that thou shalt go; And, with mine eye upon thee set, I will direction show.

9Then be not like the horse or mule, which do not understand; Whose mouth, lest they come near to thee, a bridle must command.

10Unto the man that wicked is his sorrows shall abound; But him that trusteth in the Lord mercy shall compass round.

¹¹Ye righteous, in the Lord be glad,

in him do ye rejoice:

All ye that upright are in heart,

for joy lift up your voice.

Psalm 32 Introspection

Psalm 32
A Psalm of David, Maschil.
1 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.

Three questions to ask yourself when reading this Psalm:

Are you blessed?

Are you walking in the Light?

Are you enjoying intimate instruction from God?

A few thoughts from our sermon last Lord's Day at Sovereign Grace Church Cleveland given by Jeremy Hetrick from Pittsburgh. Thanks Jeremy!

Psalm 32

Psalm 32
1Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
2Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.
3When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long.
4For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah.
5I acknowledge 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.
6For 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.
7Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.
8I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.
9Be 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.
10Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the LORD, mercy shall compass him about.
11Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.