Hebrew Key Terms:
Context: "Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. Blessed is the man against whom the LORD counts no iniquity." David writes this psalm after his sin with Bathsheba and subsequent forgiveness (cf. Psalm 51). It celebrates the blessedness of imputed righteousness.
OT-to-OT Development:
Connections:
Christological Connection: Paul quotes Psalm 32:1-2 in Romans 4:6-8 as David's witness to "the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works." David sinned grievously (adultery, murder), yet experienced full forgiveness—not by works but by God's grace through faith (confession). The verb "count/reckon" (חָשַׁב/λογίζομαι) is the same used for Abraham in Genesis 15:6. David provides a second witness: justification is not by law-keeping but by faith receiving God's gracious imputation. Christ is the ground of this imputation—David's forgiveness was secured by the future atonement Christ would make; our forgiveness is secured by Christ's accomplished work.
Trajectory: David
Connection Method(s): Analogy; Redemptive-Historical Progression — Paul cites David's experience of imputed righteousness (Rom 4:6-8) as a second witness alongside Abraham to the gospel principle of justification by faith apart from works, with David's forgiveness grounded in the future atonement Christ would accomplish.
Trajectory Table: 041 - David (The King After God's Own Heart)