DISCOVERING SPIRITUAL CONTENTMENT Psalm 32:1-11

Intro:  Have you noticed that no one seems to be satisfied anymore?  they are discontented, dissatisfied and disappointed..

I.  v. 1-2  THE POSSIBILITY OF SPIRITUAL CONTENTMENT

Psalm 32 was written by David after he committed adultery with Bathsheba, and had her husband, Uriah, put to death, 2 Sam. 11.  David committed these sins and tried, unsuccessfully, to cover them up.  He was confronted by Nathan the prophet and made a full confession, 2 Sam. 12.  During this time, David also wrote Psalm 51.  There, David makes a full confession of his sins and requests forgiveness.  He also promises that he will teach other sinners the ways of the Lord, Psa. 51:13.  Psalm 32 seems to be David’s fulfillment of that promise. David was a great singer.  He was a great sovereign and king. He was a great saint.  But, he was also a great sinner.  He has something to teach us about sin and about how to deal with it properly.

A.  Spiritual Contentment Defined – In these first two verses, David uses four different words to describe our failures.

·         v. 1  Transgressions – This word means “to step over a

boundary; or to cross a line.” It pictures sin as Defiance.

·         v. 1  Sin – This word carries the idea of “missing the mark.” 

It pictures sin as a Defect.

·         v. 2  Iniquity – This word means “bent or crooked”.  It

pictures sin as Distortion.

·         v. 2  Guile – This word means refers to that

which is dishonest.  It pictures sin as Deception.

Notice What He Says About Each  Of Our Spiritual Problems.

·         v. 1  Transgressions can be forgiven – This word means “to lift up and bear away.”  Our defiance can be removed!

·         v. 1  Sin can be covered – This word means “to conceal, to put out of sight.”  Our defect can be covered!

·         v. 2  Iniquity may not be imputed – This phrase refers to “a debt that is not reckoned.”  Our spiritual distortion and bankruptcy will not be held over our heads.

·         v. 2  Our heart can be free from guile – Our hearts can be open and honest before the Lord.”

B.  Spiritual Contentment Declared – No wonder David declares that a person in this condition is “blessed.”  This word means “happy.”  It refers to a state of contentment in the spiritual realm. True contentment is only going to be found in knowing that your sins, and all their defilement, their ugliness and the judgment associated with them is gone forever!  Contentment comes when a soul is right with the Lord!

 II.  v. 3-5       THE PATH TO SPIRITUAL CONTENTMENT

A.  v. 3-4  Involves The Step Of Chastisement – When David sinned with Bathsheba, as I said earlier, he tried to cover up that sin.  He succeeded for about a year.  Oh, some people knew about it; but most folks did not.  While David lived with unconfessed sin in his life, he was a different man. His world was literally turned upside down as God brought chastisement into David’s life to confront his sin.  David sacrificed peace, joy, contentment on the altar of selfishness and sin.  He paid a high price for low living.

B.  v. 5  Involves The Step Of Confession – When David was confronted with his sin, he came totally clean with the Lord. David opened his heart to the Lord in transparent honesty and held nothing back!

III.  v. 6-11 THE PRIVILEGES OF SPIRITUAL CONTENTMENT

A.  v. 6-7a  The Privilege Of Divine Protection – Those who walk with the Lord enjoy Him as a place of refuge and safety.  When we are in close fellowship with God, we will turn to Him in a time of trouble and temptation and find that He has all the resources we need to escape the danger at hand, 1 Cor. 10:13.  If David had been praying instead of playing, he would have avoided the sin and the sorrow it brought into his life and into his family.

B.  v. 7b  The Privilege Of Divine Preservation – Troubles and trials will come as we pass through this life.  However, the saint of God who walks with the Lord will find that they are preserved through them all.  The saints of God are not exempt from troubles, but they are kept in them and strengthened by them.  Events that would destroy the wicked man will only serve to demonstrate God’s grace to the holy man!  Troubles stalked David’s family all the days of his life; still he was preserved through them all!

C.  v. 8-9  The Privilege Of Divine Proximity – God speaks at this point.  He promises to give David guidance and direction in his life.  He also warns David of stubbornness and disobedience.  God tells David that He will guide his “with His eyes.”  This implies extreme closeness.  With the eyes, God could give David a warning look, a warming look or a welcoming look.

D.  v. 10  The Privilege Of Divine Peace –Those who submit to Him and walk with God shall have joy, peace and blessing,

E.  v. 7c, 11  The Privilege Of Divine Praise – Those who walk with the Lord in purity have a reason for praise.  The saints of God are saved and secure in their relationship with God.