A Psalm of Blessedness

How would you describe your blessedness? What do you find your blessedness in? How do you want God to bless you?

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge is an incredible resource for seeing what Scripture says about itself. It consists of more than 500,000 cross-references. Better yet, when used in our app, these cross-references are easily viewed in a popup window with just a simple tap (check out this blog post for a visual). No more trying to read superfine print or flipping pages back and forth.

Let’s use the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge for a short study on Psalm 32 to see what the psalmist says about blessedness. Since there are over 150 cross-references in this psalm, we won’t look at all of them. But here are the main sections of the psalm along with pertinent words and some cross-references.

Blessedness Consists in Remission of Sins (vv. 1–2)

David begins this psalm by declaring that the one who is forgiven all their sins is blessed. These two verses are virtually synonymous. The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge highlights three words from these verses and lists some cross-references.

Blessed

Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.

Psalms 1:1-2

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven . . .

Matthew 5:3-12

Transgression

I, I am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and I will not remember your sins.

Isaiah 43:25

Who is a God like you, pardoning iniquity and passing over transgression for the remnant of his inheritance? He does not retain his anger forever, because he delights in steadfast love. He will again have compassion on us and tread our iniquities underfoot. You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea.

Micah 7:18-19

Covered

You forgave the iniquity of your people; you covered all their sin.

Psalms 85:2

The psalmist teaches us that the blessed man and the blessed life is found in knowing the God who forgives all our transgressions. Furthermore, this is an action God takes great pleasure in. We don’t have to twist his arm or somehow convince him to show us mercy. Also, blessing and forgiveness leads to a transformed life. We strive to reorder our lives after God’s precepts and the principles he clearly establishes in his Word, and especially in the words of Jesus.

Confession of Sins Gives Ease to the Conscience (vv. 3–7)

When I kept silent . . .

Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.

Proverbs 28:13

Bones

Be gracious to me, O LORD, for I am in distress; my eye is wasted from grief; my soul and my body also. For my life is spent with sorrow, and my years with sighing; my strength fails because of my iniquity, and my bones waste away.

Psalms 31:9-10

Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice.

Psalms 51:8

Acknowledged

I confess my iniquity; I am sorry for my sin.

Psalms 38:18

If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. But If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

1 John 1:8-10

Forgave

Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

Psalms 103:2-5

The mighty waters

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you.

Isaiah 43:2

The state of having unconfessed sin is miserable and excruciating, even affecting our bodies as well as our souls. Quite the opposite of blessedness! Anxiety, guilt, shame, pride, and stubbornness can lead to some pretty serious physiological problems. This is all the more reason to bring our sins to the Lord who is ready to hear and forgive.

God’s Promises Bring Joy (vv. 8–11)

Instruct

Come, O children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD. What man is there who desires life and loves many days, that he may see good? Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

Psalms 34:11-14

My loving eye

Behold, the eye of the LORD is on those who fear him, on those who hope in his steadfast love, that he may deliver their soul from death and keep them alive in famine.

Psalms 33:18-19

Rejoice and be glad

But the righteous shall be glad; they shall exult before God; they shall be jubilant with joy!

Psalms 68:3

More than that, we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

Romans 5:11

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice.

Philippians 4:4

Joy, gladness, and singing characterize those whose sins have been forgiven. What a contrast this is with what the psalmist says in verses 3–4! In addition to pardoning and restoring sinners, the Lord instructs and guides them in the way they should go. This is what blessedness looks like.

Enhance Your Study of God’s Word with the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Cross-references can really enhance our understanding of the Bible as we learn how the Bible fits together. If you’re interested in learning more about cross-references, then check out this blog post. You can check out our store to learn more about the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

How would you consider yourself blessed? Encourage one another by sharing in the comments below!