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A maskil of David.

32 It is a great blessing
    when people are forgiven for the wrongs they have done,
    when their sins are erased.[a]
It is a great blessing
    when the Lord says they are not guilty,
    when they don’t try to hide their sins.

Lord, I prayed to you again and again,
    but I did not talk about my sins.
    So I only became weaker and more miserable.
Every day you made life harder for me.
    I became like a dry land in the hot summertime. Selah

But then I decided to confess my sins to the Lord.
    I stopped hiding my guilt and told you about my sins.
    And you forgave them all! Selah

That is why your loyal followers pray to you while there is still time.
    Then when trouble rises like a flood, it will not reach them.
You are a hiding place for me.
    You protect me from my troubles.
You surround me and protect me,
    so I sing about the way you saved me. Selah

The Lord says, “I will teach you
    and guide you in the way you should live.
    I will watch over you and be your guide.
Don’t be like a stupid horse or mule that will not come to you
    unless you put a bit in its mouth and pull it with reins.”

10 Many pains will come to the wicked,
    but the Lord’s faithful love will surround those who trust in him.
11 Good people, rejoice and be very happy in the Lord.
    All you who want to do right, rejoice!

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 32:1 erased Or “covered over” or “atoned.”

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.