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Psalm 32

How Blessed Is the Person Whose Rebellion Is Forgiven

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By David. A maskil.[a]

The Joy of Forgiveness

How blessed is the person
    whose rebellion is forgiven,
    whose sin is covered.
How blessed is the person
    whose guilt the Lord does not charge against him,
    in whose spirit there is no deceit.

Obtaining the Joy of Forgiveness

When I kept silent,
my bones wasted away as I groaned all day long.
For day and night your hand was heavy on me. Interlude
My moisture was dried up by the droughts of summer.
I acknowledged my sin to you,
and I did not cover up my guilt.
I said, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord,” Interlude
and you forgave the guilt of my sin.
Because of this, let everyone who receives favor pray to you
    at a time when you may be found.
Surely when the mighty waters overflow,
they will not reach him.
You are my hiding place.
You will protect me from distress. Interlude
You will surround me with shouts of deliverance.

Sharing the Joy of Forgiveness

I will make you wise.
I will instruct you in the way that you should go.
I will guide you, keeping my eye on you.
Do not be like a horse or a mule, which has no understanding.
Its mouth must be controlled by a bit and bridle,
or else it will not come to you.
10 Many are the sorrows of the wicked,
but mercy will surround those who trust in the Lord.
11 Rejoice in the Lord and celebrate, all you righteous,
and shout joyfully, all you upright in heart.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 32:1 A maskil is a type of hymn. It means a song that makes one wise or a skillful song.

Psalm 32

Of David. A maskil.[a]

Blessed is the one
    whose transgressions are forgiven,
    whose sins are covered.(A)
Blessed is the one
    whose sin the Lord does not count against them(B)
    and in whose spirit is no deceit.(C)

When I kept silent,(D)
    my bones wasted away(E)
    through my groaning(F) all day long.
For day and night
    your hand was heavy(G) on me;
my strength was sapped(H)
    as in the heat of summer.[b]

Then I acknowledged my sin to you
    and did not cover up my iniquity.(I)
I said, “I will confess(J)
    my transgressions(K) to the Lord.”
And you forgave
    the guilt of my sin.(L)

Therefore let all the faithful pray to you
    while you may be found;(M)
surely the rising(N) of the mighty waters(O)
    will not reach them.(P)
You are my hiding place;(Q)
    you will protect me from trouble(R)
    and surround me with songs of deliverance.(S)

I will instruct(T) you and teach you(U) in the way you should go;
    I will counsel you with my loving eye on(V) you.
Do not be like the horse or the mule,
    which have no understanding
but must be controlled by bit and bridle(W)
    or they will not come to you.
10 Many are the woes of the wicked,(X)
    but the Lord’s unfailing love
    surrounds the one who trusts(Y) in him.

11 Rejoice in the Lord(Z) and be glad, you righteous;
    sing, all you who are upright in heart!

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 32:1 Title: Probably a literary or musical term
  2. Psalm 32:4 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verses 5 and 7.