In Psalm 32:1 David spoke of the temporariness of the blood atonement of the Old Testament sacrifices, in contrast to his hope in the full and final redemption in the completed work of Christ’s death. In his standing under the Old Testament economy, he referred to the blessedness of the one whose “transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.” Since the blood of bulls and goats could not take away sin (for only the death of Christ could), in what sense can it be said then that his sins were ‘forgiven’ and ‘covered’? The word ‘forgiven’ means, ‘lifted up.’ It is a beautiful illustration of what God did in ‘forbearing’ with the sin of the Old Testament believers as described in Romans 3:25. They were provisionally ‘lifted,’ much like a penalty may be ‘lifted’ by a judge until a full and final investigation is made into a matter. They were ‘covered’ in God’s forbearance until Christ should come. In the case of the Old Testament believers, the lifting and covering were provisional in view of the full discharge of them to Christ’s account. Where there was a lifting, there had to be a placing of them somewhere. The placing of the sins ‘lifted,’ took place in the imputing of them to the account of our LORD Jesus in His death.

Righteousness cannot be imputed where justice has not yet been fully satisfied. Therefore, the word ‘righteousness’ does not even appear in Psalm 32 because Christ had not yet come to establish it as described in Daniel 9:24. Those of the Old Testament could speak of the blessing of forgiveness and owning salvation by the Grace of the LORD, and yet, it was not until Christ actually came and fulfilled law and justice on their behalf, that they could legally and judicially be declared justified before God and righteousness be legally imputed to them. It was given them by promise, but fulfilled by Christ, Galatians 3:18.