“Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah. I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee. Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the LORD, mercy shall compass him about.” Psalm 32:7-10

In these verses from Psalm 32, the Psalmist beautifully describes the profound security and guidance found in the LORD when we confess our sins and look to Him for mercy, contrasting it with the folly of stubbornness and the fate of the wicked.

Verse 7 declares, “Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance.” When we turn to the LORD for forgiveness, confessing our sins and seeking His grace, He becomes our ultimate refuge. Just as a child finds safety in a parent’s arms, so too do we find shelter in God’s presence.

This doesn’t mean our lives will be devoid of hardship; indeed, as Psalm 91 reminds us, we live in a world where troubles abound. Yet, the promise is not an absence of difficulty, but preservation through it. He surrounds us with “songs of deliverance,” reminding us of His faithfulness and past victories, giving us hope and peace amidst the storm. He will bring us safely through the difficulties and sufferings of this evil world to Himself in heaven.

The LORD’s desire for His children is clear in verse 8: “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.” God yearns to lead us, to show us the path of righteousness and wisdom. He accomplishes this primarily through His Holy Word, which Psalm 119:105 declares is “a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” His guidance is not forceful, but gentle, like a loving parent guiding a child with his eye.

However, verse 9 serves as a stark warning: “Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.” How often do we, in our stubbornness and self-will, resist the LORD’s gentle leading? Like an unyielding horse or mule, we require the “bit and bridle” — discipline and sometimes painful lessons — to bring us back into alignment with His will. How much easier, and infinitely better, it would be if we simply yielded to His instruction and allowed His eye to guide our steps!

Finally, verse 10 presents a powerful contrast: “Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the LORD, mercy shall compass him about.” The path of the wicked, those who remain impenitent and reject God’s ways, is fraught with sorrow. Not only do they experience the natural consequences of their choices in this life, lacking the peace and forgiveness that only God can provide, but they also face eternal suffering and sorrow in the life to come.

But for those who trust in the LORD, who humble themselves and rely on His grace, His mercy becomes their constant companion. God’s mercy and forgiveness surround and encompass them, providing comfort, peace, and hope. This mercy is not merely a one-time act but a continuous embrace, shielding us from the weight of our sins and guiding us into His eternal presence.

Let us therefore embrace the LORD as our refuge and hiding place, looking to Him in faith for pardon and forgiveness for the sake of Christ Jesus and His cross, and trusting in Him to preserve us through life’s troubles. Let us eagerly seek His instruction and guidance through His Word, yielding to His gentle leading rather than stubbornly resisting like the horse or mule. For in Him, and in Him alone, do we find not sorrow, but mercy, which shall compass us about now and forevermore.

Have mercy upon me, O LORD. Graciously forgive my sins for Jesus’ sake, and lead and guide me through this life to Yourself in heaven. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

[Scripture is quoted from the King James Version of the Bible.]