Psalms 32

1 The understanding of David himself. Blessed are they whose iniquities have been forgiven and whose sins have been covered.

A psalm of David. A maschil. Blessed is the person whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.

2 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord has not imputed sin, and in whose spirit there is no deceit.

Blessed is the man to whom Yahweh reckons no guilt and in whose spirit there is no deceit.

3 Because I was silent, my bones grew old, while still I cried out all day long.

When I remained silent, my bones were wasting away while I groaned all day long.

4 For, day and night, your hand was heavy upon me. I have been converted in my anguish, while still the thorn is piercing.

For day and night your hand was heavy upon me. My strength withered as in summer drought. (Selah)

5 I have acknowledged my offense to you, and I have not concealed my injustice. I said, “I will confess against myself, my injustice to the Lord,” and you forgave the impiety of my sin.

Then I acknowledged my sin to you, and I no longer hid my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to Yahweh,” and you forgave the guilt of my sin. (Selah)

6 For this, everyone who is holy will pray to you in due time. Yet truly, in a flood of many waters, they will not draw near to him.

Because of this, all who are godly should pray to you at a time of great distress. Then when the surging waters overflow, they will not reach those people.

7 You are my refuge from the tribulation that has surrounded me. You are my exultation: rescue me from those who are surrounding me.

You are my hiding place; you will guard me from trouble. You will surround me with the songs of victory. (Selah)

8 I will give you understanding, and I will instruct you in this way, in which you will walk. I will fix my eyes upon you.

I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go. I will instruct you with my eye upon you.

9 Do not become like the horse and the mule, which have no understanding. Their jaws are constrained with bit and bridle, so as not to draw near to you.

Do not be like a horse or like a mule, which have no understanding; it is only with bridle and bit to control them that they will go where you want them to.

10 Many are the scourges of the sinner, but mercy will surround him that hopes in the Lord.

The wicked have many sorrows, but Yahweh's covenant faithfulness will surround the one who trusts in him.

11 Rejoice in the Lord and exult, you just ones, and glory, all you upright of heart.

Be glad in Yahweh, and rejoice, you righteous; shout for joy, all you who are upright in heart.