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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

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.