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Psalm 32

A psalm[a] of David.

Oh, what joy for those
    whose disobedience is forgiven,
    whose sin is put out of sight!
Yes, what joy for those
    whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt,[b]
    whose lives are lived in complete honesty!
When I refused to confess my sin,
    my body wasted away,
    and I groaned all day long.
Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me.
    My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat. Interlude

Finally, I confessed all my sins to you
    and stopped trying to hide my guilt.
I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.”
    And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone. Interlude

Therefore, let all the godly pray to you while there is still time,
    that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgment.
For you are my hiding place;
    you protect me from trouble.
    You surround me with songs of victory. Interlude

The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.
    I will advise you and watch over you.
Do not be like a senseless horse or mule
    that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.”

10 Many sorrows come to the wicked,
    but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the Lord.
11 So rejoice in the Lord and be glad, all you who obey him!
    Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure!

Footnotes

  1. 32:Title Hebrew maskil. This may be a literary or musical term.
  2. 32:2 Greek version reads of sin. Compare Rom 4:8.

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