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It Is Better to Confess Sin

A ·maskil [skillful psalm; meditation] of David.

32 ·Happy [Blessed] is the person
    whose ·sins [transgressions] are forgiven,
    whose ·wrongs [sins] are ·pardoned [L covered].
·Happy [Blessed] is the person
    whom the Lord ·does not consider guilty [imputes no guilt to]
and in ·whom [L whose spirit] there is nothing ·false [deceptive].

When I kept ·things to myself [silent],
    ·I felt weak deep inside me [L my bones wasted away].
    I ·moaned [sighed] all day long.
Day and night ·you punished me [L your hand was heavy on me].
    My strength was ·gone [dried up; sapped] as in the summer heat. ·Selah [Interlude]
Then I ·confessed [made known; disclosed] my sins to you
    and didn’t ·hide [cover up] my guilt.
I said, “I will confess my ·sins [transgressions] to the Lord,”
    and you forgave ·my guilt [L the guilt of my sin]. ·Selah [Interlude]

For this reason, all ·who obey you [your saints/holy ones]
    should pray to you while ·they still can [or you may be found; L at a time of finding only; Prov. 1:24–27].
When troubles rise like a flood,
    they will not reach them.
You are my hiding place.
    You protect me from ·my troubles [distress]
and ·fill [L surround] me with ·songs [loud cries] of ·salvation [rescue; T deliverance]. ·Selah [Interlude]

The Lord says, “I will ·make you wise [instruct you] and ·show [teach] you ·where to [L the way you should] go.
    I will ·guide [counsel] you and ·watch over [L my eye will be on] you.
So don’t be like a horse or donkey,
    that doesn’t understand.
·They must be led [L …whose temper/or gallop must be restrained] with bits and reins,
    or they will not come near you.”

10 Wicked people have many ·troubles [pains; torments; woes],
    but the Lord’s ·love [loyalty; covenant love] surrounds those who ·trust [have confidence in] him.
11 ·Good [Righteous] people, rejoice and be happy in the Lord.
    ·Sing [Shout joyfully] all you whose hearts are ·right [upright; virtuous].

Blessedness of Forgiveness and of Trust in God.

A Psalm of David. A skillful [a]song, or a didactic or reflective poem.

32 Blessed [fortunate, prosperous, favored by God] is he whose transgression is forgiven,
And whose sin is covered.

Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute wickedness,
And in whose spirit there is no deceit.(A)


When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away
Through my groaning all the day long.

For day and night Your hand [of displeasure] was heavy upon me;
My [b]energy (vitality, strength) was drained away as with the burning heat of summer. Selah.

I acknowledged my sin to You,
And I did not hide my wickedness;
I said, “I will confess [all] my transgressions to the Lord”;
And You forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah.

Therefore, let everyone who is godly pray to You [for forgiveness] in a time when You [are near and] may be found;
Surely when the great waters [of trial and distressing times] overflow they will not reach [the spirit in] him.

You are my hiding place; You, Lord, protect me from trouble;
You surround me with songs and shouts of deliverance. Selah.


I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you [who are willing to learn] with My eye upon you.

Do not be like the horse or like the mule which have no understanding,
Whose trappings include bridle and rein to hold them in check,
Otherwise they will not come near to you.
10 
Many are the sorrows of the wicked,
But he who trusts in and relies on the Lord shall be surrounded with compassion and lovingkindness.
11 
Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous [who actively seek right standing with Him];
Shout for joy, all you upright in heart.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 32:1 Meaning uncertain.
  2. Psalm 32:4 Lit life juices were turned into the drought of summer.