Psalms 32:2
Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.
Original Language Analysis
Cross References
Historical Context
The concept of divine non-imputation was revolutionary in ancient religious contexts. Pagan religions focused on ritual purity and appeasing temperamental deities but lacked categories for moral justification and forensic righteousness. Israel's prophetic tradition emphasized that God desired truth in the inward parts (Psalm 51:6), moral transformation, and genuine relationship—not merely external compliance.
David's experience exemplifies this verse. After Nathan's confrontation, David confessed transparently: 'I have sinned against the LORD' (2 Samuel 12:13). No excuses, minimization, or deflection—just honest acknowledgment. Nathan immediately responded: 'The LORD also hath put away thy sin.' Though consequences remained (the child died, sword never departed from David's house), God didn't impute the sin as eternal guilt. David was forgiven, relationship restored, though temporal consequences continued.
This distinction—forgiveness of eternal guilt versus temporal consequences—has profound pastoral implications. Forgiven believers still face earthly results of past sin (health consequences, broken relationships, legal penalties), yet stand justified before God. The psalm doesn't promise elimination of all consequences but removal of divine condemnation.
Paul's extended discussion in Romans 4 makes Abraham the prototype of this non-imputation theology. Abraham believed God, and it was counted (same Hebrew root chashab) to him for righteousness (Romans 4:3, Genesis 15:6). Justification comes through faith, not works—God credits righteousness to those who believe rather than charging sin to them. This became Reformation theology's cornerstone and remains evangelical Christianity's distinguishing mark.
Questions for Reflection
- What is the significance of non-imputation (God not counting sin against us) in the doctrine of justification?
- How does the 'double imputation' (our sin to Christ, His righteousness to us) accomplish complete salvation?
- What does it mean to have 'no guile' in one's spirit, and how does this differ from sinless perfection?
- How do we reconcile forgiveness of eternal guilt with experiencing temporal consequences of past sin?
- In what ways might believers practice 'guile' by hiding behind religious performance rather than coming honestly to God?
Analysis & Commentary
This verse extends the beatitude with even more emphatic language about complete forgiveness. The structure parallels verse 1 but intensifies—describing not just what God removes but what remains absent. 'Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity' introduces the crucial concept of imputation (Hebrew chashab—to count, reckon, account). God does not 'count' or 'charge' iniquity (avon—guilt, punishment of sin, twisted/crooked behavior) to the forgiven person.
This non-imputation is the negative side of justification; God doesn't count sin against the believer. Romans 4:8 quotes this directly, and verse 22-24 explains the positive side: righteousness is imputed/credited to believers. This double imputation—sin not charged to us, righteousness credited to us—forms the gospel's core. Christ bore our sin (imputed to Him, 2 Corinthians 5:21); we receive His righteousness (imputed to us). The divine accounting transfers our guilt to Christ's account and His righteousness to ours.
The qualifying phrase 'and in whose spirit there is no guile' addresses genuineness. Remiyah (guile/deceit) describes false pretense, hidden agendas, or hypocritical claims. True forgiveness accompanies authentic repentance—transparent honesty before God, abandoning self-deception and religious pretense. Nathanael is described as 'an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile' (John 1:47)—transparent, genuine faith. Jesus condemned Pharisaical hypocrisy while praising childlike simplicity. The blessed person doesn't hide behind religious performance but comes honestly, receiving grace through faith.