Psalms 32

1 A psalm of David. How happy are those whose wrongs are forgiven, whose sins are covered.

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

2 How happy are those whose sins the Lord does not count against them, those who do not act deceptively.

Blessed is the man to whom the LORD does not impute iniquity, in whose spirit there is no deceit.

3 When I kept quiet, my body fell apart as I groaned in distress all day long.

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

4 You beat me day and night, my strength dried up as in the heat of summer. (Selah)

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

5 Then I confessed my sins to you. I did not hide the wrongs I had done. I said to myself, “I will confess my disobedience to the Lord,” and you forgave the guilt of my sins. (Selah)

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

6 Therefore let all who are faithful pray to you while there's time, so when trouble comes in like a flood it will not overwhelm them.

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 For you are my refuge, you protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of salvation. (Selah)

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, teaching you the way to follow. I will advise you, watching out for 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 You mustn't be like a horse or a mule that doesn't know which way to go without a bit or a bridle. Otherwise they can't be controlled.”

Do not 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 The wicked have many problems, but those who trust in the Lord will be surrounded by his never-failing love.

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

11 So be happy in the Lord and celebrate, you who do good. Shout for joy, all you who live right!

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