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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

Confess, Return and Learn

Psalm 32

Of David, a contemplative song.
Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven,
    whose sin is pardoned.
Blessed is the one whose guilt Adonai does not count,
and in whose spirit there is no deceit.[a]
When I kept silent,
my bones became brittle
through my groaning all day long.
For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me.
My strength was drained as in the droughts of summer.
        Selah
Then I acknowledged my sin to You
and did not hide my iniquity. I said:
“I confess my transgressions to Adonai,”
and You forgave the guilt of my sin.[b]
        Selah

So let everyone who is godly pray to You
    in a time when You may be found.
When great floodwaters rise,
    they will not reach him.
You are my hiding place—
You will protect me from distress.
You surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah

“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go.
    I will give counsel—My eye is on you.
Do not be like the horse or the mule,
which have no understanding,
and must be held in with bit and bridle
or they will not come to you.”
10 Many are the sorrows of the wicked,
but lovingkindness surrounds the one who trusts in Adonai.
11 Be glad in Adonai and rejoice,
you righteous, and shout for joy,
all who are upright in heart.