Psalms 32

1 Of David. A maskil. Happy those whose transgression is pardoned, whose sin is covered.

[A Psalm] of instruction by David. Blessed [are they] whose transgressions are forgiven, and who sins are covered.

2 Happy are those, free from falseness of spirit, to whom the Lord reckons no debt of guilt.

Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin, and whose mouth there is no guile.

3 When I held my peace, my bones wore away with my endless groaning;

Because I kept silence, my bones waxed old, from my crying all the day.

4 for day and night did your hand lie heavy upon me. The sap of my life was dried up as with fierce summer-heat. (Selah)

For day and night your hand was heavy upon me: I became thoroughly miserable while a thorn was fastened in [me]. (Pause)

5 I began to acknowledge my sin, not concealing my guilt; and the moment I vowed to confess to the Lord my transgression, then you yourself did pardon the guilt of my sin. (Selah)

I acknowledged my sin, and hid not mine iniquity: I said, I will confess mine iniquity to the Lord against myself; and you forgave the ungodliness of my heart. (Pause)

6 For this cause let all who are faithful pray to you in the time of distress; then, when the great waters rush, they will not reach to him.

Therefore shall every holy one pray to you in a fit time: only in the deluge of many waters they shall not come near to him.

7 For you are my shelter, you protect me from trouble, and surround me with deliverance. (Selah)

You are my refuge from the affliction that encompasses me; my joy, to deliver me from them that have compassed me. (Pause)

8 ‘With my eye steadfastly upon you, I will instruct and teach you The way you should go.

I will instruct you and guide you in this way wherein you shall go: I will fix mine eyes upon you.

9 Do not be like the horse or the mule, that have no understanding, but need bridle and halter to curb them, else they will not come near to you.’

Be you not as horse and mule, which have no understanding; [but you must] constrain their jaws with bit and curb, lest they should come near to you.

10 The godless have many sorrows, but those who trust in the Lord will be compassed about by his kindness.

Many are the scourges of the sinner: but him that hopes in the Lord mercy shall compass about.

11 Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, you righteous; and ring out your joy, all you upright in heart.

Be glad in the Lord, and exult, you righteous: and glory, all you that are upright in heart.