Add parallel Print Page Options

A Davidic instruction.[a]

The Blessings of Forgiveness

32 How blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven,
    whose sin is covered.
How blessed is the person against whom the Lord does not charge iniquity,
    and in whose spirit there is no deceit.

When I kept silent about my sin,[b]
    my body[c] wasted away
        by my groaning all day long.
For your hand was heavy upon me day and night;
    my strength was exhausted
        as in a summer drought.
Interlude

My sin I acknowledged to you;
    my iniquity I did not hide.
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.”
    And you forgave the guilt of my sin!
Interlude

Therefore every godly person should pray to you at such a time.[d]
    Surely a flood of great waters will not reach him.
You are my hiding place;
    you will deliver me from trouble
        and surround me with shouts of deliverance.
Interlude

I will instruct you and teach you
    concerning the path you should walk;
        I will direct you with my eye.
Don’t be like a horse or mule,
    without understanding.
They are held in check by a bit and bridle in their mouths;
    otherwise they will not remain near you.

10 The wicked have many sorrows,
    but gracious love surrounds those who trust in the Lord.
11 Righteous ones, be glad in the Lord and rejoice!
    Shout for joy, all of you who are upright in heart!

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 32:1 Lit. maskil
  2. Psalm 32:3 The Heb. lacks about my sin
  3. Psalm 32:3 Lit. bones
  4. Psalm 32:6 Lit. at a time of finding

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.