just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works:
English Standard Version (ESV)
What's easy to miss is that "blessedness" here isn't just about feeling good, but about a declared state of happiness. David isn't just talking about personal peace, but about God actively declaring someone to be in a right standing, apart from any merit they bring. It highlights that this divine declaration, this imputation of righteousness, is the core of true blessedness.
just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works:
English Standard Version (ESV)
Paul is building his case for justification by faith, following his mention of Abraham. He now introduces King David, a revered figure in Jewish history, to show that this concept of righteousness apart from religious rituals or good deeds wasn't a new idea. This verse directly quotes Psalm 32, highlighting David's own experience of blessedness when God forgives his sins and counts him righteous, thus reinforcing the argument that acceptance with God comes through faith, not works.
We often think of 'blessed' as a fleeting feeling of happiness. But in Scripture, it's something much deeper and more profound.
The word Paul uses here, related to David's psalm, isn't just about a happy mood. It's about a state of profound well-being and favor with God.
A Divine Declaration
This 'blessedness' is God's declaration of favor upon a person. It's not something earned by outward actions, but a gift recognized and celebrated.
The Core of the Matter
David, in Psalm 32, speaks of this blessedness in the context of sin being forgiven and not counted against someone. It’s about God’s gracious acceptance, not human achievement.
Paul is making a radical point: God counts something as righteousness that isn't directly produced by us. How does that work?
The crucial phrase here is 'God counts righteousness apart from works.' This isn't about God overlooking our flaws; it's about Him crediting us with something we don't inherently possess.
The Imputation Principle
'Counts' or 'imputes' refers to God's action of crediting something to our account. In this case, it's righteousness.
The 'Apart From Works' Reality
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This righteousness is given apart from works. This means it's not a result of our own efforts, law-keeping, or moral achievements. It's a gift received by faith, as the rest of the chapter makes clear.
David's experience, as quoted here, highlights that this blessedness comes when God doesn't count sin against us, and by implication, counts righteousness for us.
Why bring in David? He wasn't just a king and a psalmist; his life provides a powerful, relatable illustration of this truth.
Paul uses David not just as an ancient authority, but as someone who personally experienced the reality of God's gracious accounting.
A Sinner's Savior
Commentators note that David had committed grievous sins ('ungodliness'). His testimony wasn't from a place of perfect performance, but from a place of deep sin and subsequent forgiveness.
Divine Acceptance Through Faith
David's psalm (Psalm 32) speaks of the covering of sin and God not imputing it. This implies a positive imputation of righteousness, received by faith, not earned by his actions, even those considered 'good' at other times.
This makes his testimony incredibly relevant: if even a king, after falling deeply, could be declared righteous apart from his works, it shows this is God's way for all who believe.
Understand the original words
dikaiosyne · Greek Noun
Refers to a state of being right with God, having a status of legal acquittal or justification before His holy standard. It is not earned by human merit but is a gift credited by God to those who believe.
By referencing David's experience and Psalm 32, Paul draws a powerful connection between a beloved king's profound sin and repentance, and the core gospel message of righteousness granted apart from our own deeds. This highlights that even those with deep failures can find acceptance with God through faith alone.
~1000 BC
David's Reign as King of Israel
David, a central figure in Israelite history, ruled as king during a period of established nationhood, following his earlier triumphs as a warrior. His reign was marked by both great success and significant moral failings.
c. 980 BC
David's Sin with Bathsheba and Uriah
David committed adultery with Bathsheba and arranged for her husband Uriah's death, representing a profound moral lapse for the Israelite king. This event led to severe divine judgment and deep personal anguish for David.
c. 980 BC— this verse
David's Repentance and Psalm 32
Following his sin and confrontation by the prophet Nathan, David profoundly repented. He expressed his anguish and sought God's forgiveness, which he clearly articulated in Psalm 32, a psalm central to this passage.
c. 586 BC
Babylonian Exile of Judah
The southern kingdom of Judah, including its capital Jerusalem, was conquered by the Babylonians, leading to the destruction of the Temple and the exile of many citizens. This event deeply impacted Jewish identity and theology.
c. 539 BC
Persian Conquest and Return from Exile
Cyrus the Great of Persia conquered the Babylonian Empire, allowing Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their Temple. This marked a significant turning point in Jewish history.
c. AD 50-62
Paul's Apostolic Ministry
During this period, the Apostle Paul established churches throughout the Roman Empire, preaching the gospel of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.
This passage is the direct source Paul is quoting, highlighting that true 'blessedness' comes from having sins forgiven and not counted against you, which is the flip side of righteousness being imputed.
Isaiah 61:10This prophecy speaks of the Lord clothing the faithful 'with the garments of salvation' and covering them 'with the robe of righteousness,' echoing the idea of God bestowing righteousness rather than it being earned through works.
Philippians 3:9Paul directly contrasts 'my own righteousness' that comes from the law with 'the righteousness that comes through faith in Christ,' the righteousness from God, reinforcing the core message of Romans 4:6.
Genesis 15:6This is the foundational Old Testament text Paul uses, stating that Abraham 'believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness,' establishing the principle of faith being counted for righteousness long before David or the Law.
cambridgeRomans 4:6: "Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,"
6 . Even as David also ] In Psalms 32. This quotation is specially to the point, being not only an inspired statement of truth, but made by one who had been guilty of deep “ungodliness,” and had himself experienced justification under that condition.—“ Also: ”—i.e. as well as Moses in Genesis.— Romans 4:6-8 are quite subordinate to the main argument, which is throughout ba…
meyerRomans 4:6: "Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,"
Romans 4:6-8 . Accordance ( καθάπερ ) of Romans 4:5 with an assertion of David , that great and revered Messianic authority. That it is only what is said in Romans 4:5 that is to be vouched by David’s testimony, and consequently that the quotation forms only an accessory element in the argument, appears from its being annexed by καθάπερ , from the clear intended relation i…
What's easy to miss is that "blessedness" here isn't just about feeling good, but about a declared state of happiness. David isn't just talking about personal peace, but about God actively declaring someone to be in a right standing, apart from any merit they bring. It highlights that this divine declaration, this imputation of righteousness, is the core of true blessedness.
Paul is building his case for justification by faith, following his mention of Abraham. He now introduces King David, a revered figure in Jewish history, to show that this concept of righteousness apart from religious rituals or good deeds wasn't a new idea. This verse directly quotes Psalm 32, highlighting David's own experience of blessedness when God forgives his sins and counts him righteous, thus reinforcing the argument that acceptance with God comes through faith, not works.
Paul is building his case for justification by faith, following his mention of Abraham. He now introduces King David, a revered figure in Jewish history, to show that this concept of righteousness apart from religious rituals or good deeds wasn't a new idea. This verse directly quotes Psalm 32, highlighting David's own experience of blessedness when God forgives his sins and counts him righteous, thus reinforcing the argument that acceptance with God comes through faith, not works.
"just as David also speaks of the blessing of the one to whom God counts righteousness apart from works:" — What's easy to miss is that "blessedness" here isn't just about feeling good, but about a declared state of happiness. David isn't just talking about personal peace, but about God *actively declaring…
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Last reviewed October 2026