32 1 David punished with grievous sickness for his sins, counteth them blessed to whom God doth not impute their transgressions. 5 And after that he had confessed his sins, and obtained pardon, 6 he exhorteth the wicked men to live godly, 11 and the good to rejoice.

A Psalm of David to give [a]instruction.

Blessed is he whose wickedness is [b]forgiven, and whose sin is covered.

Blessed is the man, unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.

When I held my [c]tongue, my bones consumed, or when I [d]roared all the day,

(For thine hand is heavy upon me day and night: and my moisture is turned into the drought of Summer. Selah.)

Then I [e]acknowledged my sin unto thee, neither hid I mine iniquity: for I thought, I will confess against myself my wickedness unto the Lord, and thou forgavest the punishment of my sin. Selah.

Therefore shall everyone that is godly, make his prayer unto thee in a [f]time, when thou mayest be found: surely in the flood of great waters [g]they shall not come near him.

Thou art my secret place: thou preservest me from trouble: thou compassest me about with joyful deliverance. Selah.

I will [h]instruct thee, and teach thee in the way that thou shalt go, and I will guide thee with mine eye.

Be ye not like an horse, or like a mule which understand not: whose [i]mouths thou dost bind with bit and bridle, lest they come near thee.

10 Many sorrows shall come to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the Lord, mercy shall compass him.

11 Be glad ye righteous, and [j]rejoice in the Lord, and be joyful all ye, that are upright in heart.

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 32:1 Concerning the free remission of sins, which is the chiefest point of our faith.
  2. Psalm 32:1 To be justified by faith, is to have our sins freely remitted, and to be reputed just, Rom. 4:6.
  3. Psalm 32:3 Between hope and despair.
  4. Psalm 32:3 Neither by silence nor crying found I ease, signifying that before the sinner be reconciled to God, he feeleth a perpetual torment.
  5. Psalm 32:5 He showeth that as God’s mercy is the only cause of forgiveness of sins, so the means thereof are repentance and confession which proceed of faith.
  6. Psalm 32:6 When necessity causeth him to seek to thee for help, Isa. 55:6.
  7. Psalm 32:6 To wit, the waters and great dangers.
  8. Psalm 32:8 David promiseth to make the rest of God’s children partakers of the benefits which he felt, and that he will diligently look and take care to direct them in the way of salvation.
  9. Psalm 32:9 If men can rule brute beasts, think they that God will not bridle and tame their rage?
  10. Psalm 32:11 He showeth that peace and joy of conscience in the holy Ghost, is the fruit of faith.

Psalm 32

Of David. A maskil.[a]

Blessed is the one
    whose transgressions are forgiven,
    whose sins are covered.(A)
Blessed is the one
    whose sin the Lord does not count against them(B)
    and in whose spirit is no deceit.(C)

When I kept silent,(D)
    my bones wasted away(E)
    through my groaning(F) all day long.
For day and night
    your hand was heavy(G) on me;
my strength was sapped(H)
    as in the heat of summer.[b]

Then I acknowledged my sin to you
    and did not cover up my iniquity.(I)
I said, “I will confess(J)
    my transgressions(K) to the Lord.”
And you forgave
    the guilt of my sin.(L)

Therefore let all the faithful pray to you
    while you may be found;(M)
surely the rising(N) of the mighty waters(O)
    will not reach them.(P)
You are my hiding place;(Q)
    you will protect me from trouble(R)
    and surround me with songs of deliverance.(S)

I will instruct(T) you and teach you(U) in the way you should go;
    I will counsel you with my loving eye on(V) you.
Do not be like the horse or the mule,
    which have no understanding
but must be controlled by bit and bridle(W)
    or they will not come to you.
10 Many are the woes of the wicked,(X)
    but the Lord’s unfailing love
    surrounds the one who trusts(Y) in him.

11 Rejoice in the Lord(Z) and be glad, you righteous;
    sing, all you who are upright in heart!

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 32:1 Title: Probably a literary or musical term
  2. Psalm 32:4 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verses 5 and 7.