Psalms 32:9 Do not be like the horse or like the mule, which have no understanding, Whose trappings include bit and bridle to hold them in check, Otherwise they will not come near to you.
If you only read verse nine of Psalm thirty-two, you might think God is saying to not be stubborn like a mule. But you would miss the point of the Psalm and its power to transform your life. This Psalm of David is not about stubbornness in general but the blessings of confessing our sins to God and the consequences when we defiantly refuse.
The heart of Psalm thirty-two is found in verses 3-5.
Verses 3 and 4 give us the problem:
Psalms 32:3-4 When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away Through my groaning all day long. (4) For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; My vitality failed as with the dry heat of summer. Selah
David was suffering emotionally and physically from the guilt of his unconfessed sins. He was experiencing the heavy hand of God. God was convicting him and he couldn't shake it day or night. His guilt was consuming him.
Verse 5 gives us the solution:
Psalms 32:5 I acknowledged my sin to You, And I did not hide my guilt; I said, “I will confess my wrongdoings to the LORD”; And You forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah
Only God can forgive and remove the guilt and weight of our sins. Only God can restore our relationship with Him.
Then David in verses 6-11 gives us at least seven benefits of the godly person, one who has confessed and repented of their sins before God.
1- v. 6 The "flood of great waters" (troubles) will not reach them.
2- v. 7 God is their hiding place.
3- v. 7 God keeps them from trouble.
4- v. 7 God surrounds them with songs of deliverance.
5- v. 8 God will instruct, teach, and advise you in the ways you should go.
6- v. 10 Goodness will surround him.
7- v. 11 Guilt and shame will be replaced with gladness and joy.
Now that we have context, let's go back to verse 9 Do not be like the horse or like the mule, which have no understanding, Whose trappings include bit and bridle to hold them in check, Otherwise they will not come near to you.
Do you see it now? David had been stubborn in his sins but when he finally repented God forgave his sins, removed his guilt, and replaced it with gladness and joy! David is using the stubbornness of a mule to tell us not to be like that with God. Don't resist his heavy hand of conviction. You can trust God to guide you to pastures of gladness and joy but you must first pass through the path of repentance.
Now we can wrap up this Psalm by going back to the beginning.
Psalms 32:1-2 A Psalm of David. A Maskil. How blessed is he whose wrongdoing is forgiven, Whose sin is covered! (2) How blessed is a person whose guilt the LORD does not take into account, And in whose spirit there is no deceit!
In the first two verses, David gives a prelude, a glimpse of what is coming. They are the answer and conclusion before his personal story begins. He's not dispensing wisdom he has learned in conversation or seen from afar. He knows firsthand what he is talking about.
Are you living in unrepentant sins? Is the heavy hand of God upon you? Why are you resisting the conviction of the Holy Spirit? Are you suffering the consequences of your rebellion? Let's be real, stubbornness is rebellion. Stop resisting and repent! Be quick to confess your sins to the Lord. 1 John 1:9 gives us an assurance,
1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous, so that He will forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
There is no sin so great that God won't forgive the one who humbles themselves before God. Stop acting like a dumb mule. God is not keeping you from gladness and joy, your unconfessed sins are.
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