Psalm 32:6–8
As David’s celebration song about God’s forgiveness continues, he recognizes that confession is costly. He also acknowledges the fact that we have a window of opportunity that may, one day, close. Consequently, he prays for God’s future provision.
Provision for Future Needs
Therefore, let everyone who is godly pray to You in a time when You may be found;
Surely in a flood of great waters they will not reach him.
You are my hiding place; You preserve me from trouble;
You surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah.
I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go;
I will counsel you with My eye upon you.(32:6–8)
Remember, the theme of this psalm is forgiveness. David wants to make it clear that he doesn’t have a corner on this blessed experience. He therefore issues an invitation to “everyone who is godly.” This includes every New Testament believer, every person who knows the Lord, having received Jesus Christ by faith. David urges all God’s people to pray, even in the midst of “a flood of great waters,” when all seems hopeless. He promises that when this is done, God will provide the same deliverance to us that He brought to David.
Verse 7 places full attention on God. He is the One who protects us, preserves us, surrounds us, and even gives us a song. Selah (again, pause and consider)! A guilt-ridden conscience casts God as a cruel deity, walking around with a club, looking for sinners to smash. That’s because sin distorts the truth. Look again at verse 7. David breaks out into songs of deliverance! “You are my hiding place; You preserve me from trouble; You surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah.”
What a comforting picture, especially to those who have been in deep sin and seek forgiveness!
The next statement is God’s answer to David’s invitation to all God’s people. The Lord promises His guidance and counsel. The eighth verse concludes with God saying, in effect, “I will become your counselor, and guide your restoration.”
Do you have the feeling that God is gone? That He doesn’t care? Trust me today; He does care. He cares personally about you (1 Peter 5:7). He has His eyes on you. He may seem to be removed from you and distant, but He is near, waiting for your confession and repentance.
From Living the Psalms: Encouragement for the Daily Grind by Charles R. Swindoll, copyright © 2012. Reprinted by permission of Worthy Inspired, an imprint of Hachette Book Group, Inc.
