Romans 4:6–8

The principle of faith illustrated: David

For the Jewish nation, who were the descendants of Abraham, Abraham was Exhibit A in demonstrating how God deals with his people. If Abraham was Exhibit A, then King David would be Exhibit B. His reign was in many ways the glory era of Israel’s history. King David’s testimony regarding God’s dealing with his people, therefore, would also be very important. Paul calls on him next to provide insight into the matter of how righteousness comes to sinful people.

To believing Abraham, God “credited” righteousness as a gift. Works were not a factor in his case. Paul now adds the testimony of King David:

David says the same thing when he speaks of the blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:

7 “Blessed are they

whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.

8 Blessed is the man

whose sin the Lord will never count against him.”

The quotation is from Psalm 32. A repentant King David is speaking as he recalls his own sorry past. Initially stubborn and unrepentant, David tried to minimize and ignore his sin, but that didn’t work. He now admits:

When I kept silent, my bones wasted away

through my groaning all day long. For day and night

your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped

as in the heat of summer. (verses 3,4)

Brought to his knees, David resorted to the only thing that works: looking in faith to the God who justifies the ungodly. David had no good works to bring, only ungodliness to confess. And he does just that Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity.

I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD”—

and you forgave

the guilt of my sin. (verse 5)

God forgave the guilt of David’s sin. This free forgiveness through faith without the addition of any works or merit is precisely the same pattern that Abraham had experienced. And it forms the basis for David’s cry of joy and relief, which Paul quotes almost word for word:

Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.

Blessed is the man

whose sin the LORD does not count against him. (verses 1,2).