Add parallel Print Page Options

Confession and Forgiveness[a]

32 (A)Happy are those whose sins are forgiven,
    whose wrongs are pardoned.
Happy is the one whom the Lord does not accuse of doing wrong
    and who is free from all deceit.

When I did not confess my sins,
    I was worn out from crying all day long.
Day and night you punished me, Lord;
    my strength was completely drained,
    as moisture is dried up by the summer heat.

Then I confessed my sins to you;
    I did not conceal my wrongdoings.
I decided to confess them to you,
    and you forgave all my sins.

So all your loyal people should pray to you in times of need;[b]
    when a great flood of trouble comes rushing in,
    it will not reach them.
You are my hiding place;
    you will save me from trouble.
I sing aloud of your salvation,
    because you protect me.

The Lord says, “I will teach you the way you should go;
    I will instruct you and advise you.
Don't be stupid like a horse or a mule,
    which must be controlled with a bit and bridle
    to make it submit.”

10 The wicked will have to suffer,
    but those who trust in the Lord
    are protected by his constant love.
11 You that are righteous, be glad and rejoice
    because of what the Lord has done.
You that obey him, shout for joy!

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 32:1 HEBREW TITLE: A poem by David.
  2. Psalm 32:6 Some ancient translations need; Hebrew finding only.

Psalm 32

The Joy of Forgiveness

Of David. A Maskil.

Happy are those whose transgression is forgiven,
    whose sin is covered.(A)
Happy are those to whom the Lord imputes no iniquity
    and in whose spirit there is no deceit.(B)

While I kept silent, my body wasted away
    through my groaning all day long.(C)
For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;
    my strength was dried up[a] as by the heat of summer. Selah(D)

Then I acknowledged my sin to you,
    and I did not hide my iniquity;
I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord,”
    and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah(E)

Therefore let all who are faithful
    offer prayer to you;
at a time of distress,[b] the rush of mighty waters
    shall not reach them.(F)
You are a hiding place for me;
    you preserve me from trouble;
    you surround me with glad cries of deliverance. Selah(G)

I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go;
    I will counsel you with my eye upon you.(H)
Do not be like a horse or a mule, without understanding,
    whose temper must be curbed with bit and bridle,
    else it will not stay near you.(I)

10 Many are the torments of the wicked,
    but steadfast love surrounds those who trust in the Lord.(J)
11 Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, O righteous,
    and shout for joy, all you upright in heart.(K)

Footnotes

  1. 32.4 Meaning of Heb uncertain
  2. 32.6 Cn: Heb at a time of finding only

32 (0) By David. A maskil:

(1) How blessed are those whose offense is forgiven,
those whose sin is covered!
How blessed those to whom Adonai imputes no guilt,
in whose spirit is no deceit!

When I kept silent, my bones wasted away
because of my groaning all day long;
day and night your hand was heavy on me;
the sap in me dried up as in a summer drought. (Selah)

When I acknowledged my sin to you,
when I stopped concealing my guilt,
and said, “I will confess my offenses to Adonai”;
then you, you forgave the guilt of my sin. (Selah)

This is what everyone faithful should pray
at a time when you can be found.
Then, when the floodwaters are raging,
they will not reach to him.

You are a hiding-place for me,
you will keep me from distress;
you will surround me
with songs of deliverance. (Selah)

“I will instruct and teach you
in this way that you are to go;
I will give you counsel;
my eyes will be watching you.”

Don’t be like a horse or mule
that has no understanding,
that has to be curbed with bit and bridle,
or else it won’t come near you.

10 Many are the torments of the wicked,
but grace surrounds those who trust in Adonai.
11 Be glad in Adonai; rejoice, you righteous!
Shout for joy, all you upright in heart!

32 Count yourself lucky, how happy you must be—
    you get a fresh start,
    your slate’s wiped clean.

Count yourself lucky—
    God holds nothing against you
    and you’re holding nothing back from him.

When I kept it all inside,
    my bones turned to powder,
    my words became daylong groans.

The pressure never let up;
    all the juices of my life dried up.

Then I let it all out;
    I said, “I’ll come clean about my failures to God.”

Suddenly the pressure was gone—
    my guilt dissolved,
    my sin disappeared.

These things add up. Every one of us needs to pray;
    when all hell breaks loose and the dam bursts
    we’ll be on high ground, untouched.

God’s my island hideaway,
    keeps danger far from the shore,
    throws garlands of hosannas around my neck.

Let me give you some good advice;
    I’m looking you in the eye
    and giving it to you straight:

“Don’t be ornery like a horse or mule
    that needs bit and bridle
    to stay on track.”

10 God-defiers are always in trouble;
    God-affirmers find themselves loved
    every time they turn around.

11 Celebrate God.
    Sing together—everyone!
    All you honest hearts, raise the roof!