Not Quite
Of David, a contemplation. Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Psalm 32:1
Blessed Is – So, now you know that this is a maskil. That means it is an insight for action. But immediately following the word maskil, we come to what appears to be a passive verb, blessed is. If this is about purposeful, prudent action, why does it seem as if we are the passive recipients here? After all, most Christians would read this verse as if it said, “You are blessed when God (the active agent) forgives you (the passive recipient).” But that changes the context of a maskil. Something is wrong.
What’s wrong is our English translation of the Hebrew word ‘esher (translated “blessed is”). You see, the problem is that this isn’t a verb! It’s a noun. It doesn’t say, “Blessed is.” That’s a verb. It says, “A state of bliss the man whose . . .” In other words, it does not describe some action that happens to us. It simply describes what it is like to be forgiven. By the way, this word is never used of God. That’s another clue. Why? This word describes a state of bliss that comes about through some action that we perform. It is not the result of God’s direct action toward us. It is something we cause to happen in ourselves. We come into a state of bliss as a result of certain actions.
‘esher is the Tanakh (Hebrew Scripture) “beatitude” word. It is the equivalent of the Greek makarios, the word that begins each of the Beatitudes in Matthew. Knowing that it is not a verb is very important. By the way, in Greek the word makarios is also not a verb. We will have to translate those Beatitudes all over again. Not a single one begins with “blessed are.” Just like this maskil, they are all descriptions of the inner state of bliss that accompanies a certain result of actions.
So, what does this verse (and all the other “beatitudes”) tell us about the state of bliss? This verse tells us that the inner state of a man whose transgression has been forgiven is an experience of bliss. It does not tell us how that process happens. It simply says that when it happens, it’s wonderful. This maskil opens by commenting on what it is like to be forgiven. It is marvelous! And since we all want to feel marvelous, this state of bliss is something we all desire. In exactly the same way, the opening Beatitude of Matthew 5:3 tells us that it is marvelous to experience the kingdom of heaven at hand. Yeshua simply uses an Old Testament pattern to elaborate the description of bliss.
Of course, neither David nor Yeshua leave us hanging. Yeshua tells us that the state of bliss associated with the experience of the kingdom is connected to being poor in spirit (there is a lot more to this too). David tells us that experiencing the bliss of forgiveness is connected to confession. Yes, it is connected to something that we do. Go ahead. Read verses 3 to 5. If you want the bliss of forgiveness, you have to do something. You don’t wait for God to show up with the forgiveness pill. You acknowledge your sin. You proclaim it before the Holy One of Israel. You stop hiding the truth about yourself. And then you wait for God. The state of bliss is something you control.
Isn’t that nice to know? The insight of this maskil is this. God is ready to forgive whenever you are ready to confess. It isn’t necessary to appease Him. It is only necessary to be ruthlessly honest about yourself.
Topical Index: beatitude, maskil, ‘esher, blessed, Psalm 32:1
-It isn’t necessary to appease Him. It is only necessary to be ruthlessly honest about yourself.-
Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. (1 Corinthians 10.11)
The soul who sins is the one who will die. (Ezekiel 18.20)
Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge.” (Psalm 51.4)
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1.9)
The sordid story of David’s sin is recorded for our viewing in 2 Samuel chapter 11. It is a story about ‘watchfulness’, duty, lust, betrayal, envy, pride and murder. Every detail is recorded for our “admonition”. It is a “miskal” of David. Uriah the Hittite ( a non-Hebrew!) was killed, and King David received a death-wound in his soul. G-d reveals some of the “wages of sin” (death/separation) in Psalm 51. Not a pretty picture at all.
And yet we also read- “David was a man after G-d’s own heart.” (I Samuel 13.13-14) A Shepherd. A Singer. A forgottten Son. A Sinner. A Savior. A Sovereign. His story ended up right in the middle of G-d’s book!
We can say a lot about David. It’s all there for our “contemplation.” Something to think about- fer sure.
I’ve got to ask the question though. – What about me? “Ruthless truth?” I know who I am. I am every bit as guilty as David and I’m asking the same questions he did so long ago. The more things change the more they remain the same. “What can wash away my sin? What can make me whole again?
What about “We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” Laid what on who?
“Surely He took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows, yet we considered Him stricken by God, smitten by Him, and afflicted.” (Isaiah 53.4) Who is this referring to? “stricken by G-d, smitten, afflicted..”
“But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53.5)
Who was pierced? Who was crushed? The punishment that brought us peace? By His wounds we are healed- Whose wounds? Healed?
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 8.1)
No condemnation. None, nada, zip, zero, zilch.
Jesus paid it all. All to Him I owe. Sin had left a crimson stain, He washed it white as snow. And when before the throne, I stand in Him-complete. Jesus died my soul to save, my lips shall still repeat.
Of David, a contemplation. Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. (Psalm 32:1)
Yes, we do have to do something. -“..believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved..” (Acts 16.31)
For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved. (John 3.17)
Rich….rich teaching. Great spiritual food…Thank you…so much
“of David, a maskil.”
I’m wondering if we can find a pun in here? One more for Robin.
If you are like me, you might not have heard much detail about David and Michal, his wife Michal, daughter of King Saul as I recall.
We all know that David got himself in very deep water with Bathsheeba and that he essentially had her husband killed in battle so he could consumate his Adulterous Affair.
Most of us sinners can probably rest assured that YHWH will forgive our sins, if we openly communicate our sins to him and take responsibility for them.
After all, Matthew, as I recall, goes out of the his way to align the King of Kings with King David.