Psalms 32

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

By David. A contemplative psalm. Blessed is he whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is covered.

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

Blessed is the man to whom the LORD doesn’t impute iniquity, in whose spirit there is no deceit.

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

When I kept silence, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.

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

For day and night your hand was heavy on me. My strength was sapped in the heat of summer. (Selah)

5 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)

I acknowledged my sin to you. I didn’t hide my iniquity. I said, I will confess my transgressions to the LORD, and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. (Selah)

6 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.

For this, let everyone who is godly pray to you in a time when you may be found. Surely when the great waters overflow, they shall not reach to him.

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

You are my hiding place. You will preserve me from trouble. You will surround me with songs of deliverance. (Selah)

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

I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you shall go. I will counsel you with my eye on you.

9 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.

Don’t be like the horse, or like the mule, which have no understanding, who are controlled by bit and bridle, or else they will not come near to you.

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

Many sorrows come to the wicked, but loving kindness shall surround him who trusts in the LORD.

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

Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, you righteous! Shout for joy, all you who are upright in heart!