King James Version

What Does Psalms 32:2 Mean?

Psalms 32:2 in the King James Version says “Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 32 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.”

Psalms 32:2 · KJV

Holy Spirit

Context

1

A Psalm of David, Maschil. Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. A Psalm: or, A Psalm of David giving instruction

2

Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.

3

When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long.

4

For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah.

Read Psalms 32 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study 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.

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Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. What is the significance of non-imputation (God not counting sin against us) in the doctrine of justification?
  2. How does the 'double imputation' (our sin to Christ, His righteousness to us) accomplish complete salvation?
  3. What does it mean to have 'no guile' in one's spirit, and how does this differ from sinless perfection?
  4. How do we reconcile forgiveness of eternal guilt with experiencing temporal consequences of past sin?
  5. In what ways might believers practice 'guile' by hiding behind religious performance rather than coming honestly to God?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 10 words
אַ֥שְֽׁרֵי1 of 10

“Blessed”

H835

happiness; only in masculine plural construction as interjection, how happy!

אָדָ֗ם2 of 10

“is the man”

H120

ruddy i.e., a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.)

לֹ֤א3 of 10
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יַחְשֹׁ֬ב4 of 10

“imputeth”

H2803

properly, to plait or interpenetrate, i.e., (literally) to weave or (generally) to fabricate; figuratively, to plot or contrive (usually in a maliciou

יְהוָ֣ה5 of 10

“unto whom the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

ל֣וֹ6 of 10
H0
עָוֹ֑ן7 of 10

“not iniquity”

H5771

perversity, i.e., (moral) evil

וְאֵ֖ין8 of 10
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

בְּרוּח֣וֹ9 of 10

“and in whose spirit”

H7307

wind; by resemblance breath, i.e., a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively, life, anger, unsubstantiality; by extension, a region of the

רְמִיָּה׃10 of 10

“there is no guile”

H7423

remissness, treachery

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Psalms 32:2 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Psalms 32:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

John 1:472 Corinthians 5:19-21Revelation 14:51 Peter 2:1-2Leviticus 17:42 Corinthians 1:12

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