What does Psalm 32:10 mean?

David describes the wicked as having many sorrows. In this Psalm, he has noted the conviction and misery which come along with unconfessed, unrepentant sin (Psalm 32:1–4). David experienced that thanks to his own deep moral failure (Psalm 51. To follow God and avoid suffering the consequences of sin (Proverbs 8:34–36), one must be open to God's loving correction (Psalm 32:8–9).

From the fall of Adam and Eve, mankind has been on a perpetual hunt for happiness somewhere other than in God. That search always ends in emptiness and sorrow. Solomon searched for satisfaction in several places, but his search was unsuccessful. He concluded that everything short of God—anything "under the sun"—is "vanity," meaning transitory or empty. He finally found life's meaning and happiness in God and advised others to "Remember also your Creator in the days of your youth, before the evil days come and the years draw near of which you will say, 'I have no pleasure in them'" (Ecclesiastes 12:1).

Unbelievers who reject God must expect to receive many sorrows. Some of those come through earthly consequences, others don't become clear until eternity. By contrast, those who trust in the Lord live in the circle of God's unfailing love. As Psalm 1:1–2 points out, the person who rejects evil but delights in the Lord and His Word is "blessed."