The first two verses are a general summary of the psalm. David says “Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.”
- The focus of this is on a man who has his transgression against some law as forgiven and, in parallel, whose sin is covered. David claims this man is blessed.
- David then clarifies that this man is blessed by his relationship with the LORD. This blessing comes from the LORD counting no iniquity against him.
- Transgression, sin, and iniquity are used synonymously in this Psalm.
- In these two verses, each contains a parallelism leading to a 4-parallelism across the two. This leads to an interpretation that all 4 are related in some way.
- One’s spirit containing no deceit must be linked to the transgression, sin, and iniquity.
What does it mean to be one “in whose spirit there is no deceit”?
Verses 3-5 show this man confessing his sins to God. One note: this man David is speaking of is not a sinless man but one who has sinned but has had those sins blotted out before God. The man contrasts his life before and after confession. Before: he kept silent, his bones wasted away, he groaned all day long, the LORD’s hand was heavy upon him day and night, and his strength was dried up like water in the heat of summer. Confession: the man acknowledged his sin to the LORD, he did not try to cover his sins, and he said “I will confess my transgression to the LORD”. After: The LORD forgave the “iniquity of [his] sin”. He enters a new state of being before God.
The imperative after the LORD forgives sins:
- offer prayer to God when He may be found (at all times)
The promises after the LORD forgives sins:
- protection/ a hiding place/ perseverance/ deliverance
There is a perspective shift after verse 7. The narrator seemingly shifts to the LORD. In verses 8 and 9, the narrator promises instruction and teaching in the way his disciple should go. The narrator promises counsel and a watchful eye. The reason for why I think it is the LORD now speaking is in the implied relationship between man and God. It would be unreasonable to assume that the man who is originally speaking is now going to teach and guide someone. More, it is reasonable to think that this person who has confessed his sin and found protection in the LORD is the direct object of the narrators actions, rather than the subject.
In the promises, the comfort the LORD then brings on the confessing man is in his fatherly presence. First the man expressed how the LORD is his place of refuge and safety. Then the LORD expresses how He is the teacher and counselor. This is a promise
There is also an imperative in the discipleship. Don’t be like a horse or a mule. Don’t be without understanding. Don’t be the kind of animal that wanders. That needs a bit and bridle to stay near God. Stay near God!