< Psalms 32 >

1 A psalm of David. How happy are those whose wrongs are forgiven, whose sins are covered.
“Of David: a Maskil.” Happy is he whose transgression 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.
Happy is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.
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 crying all the day.
4 You beat me day and night, my strength dried up as in the heat of summer. (Selah)
For by day and night lay thy hand heavily upon me: my [life's] moisture hath been changed through the droughts 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)
My sin do I ever acknowledge unto thee, and my iniquity have I not covered up. I said, I will make confession because of my transgressions unto the Lord: and thou truly forgavest 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 shall every pious one pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely [then] when great waters overflow, they shall never reach unto him.
7 For you are my refuge, you protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of salvation. (Selah)
Thou art my hiding-place; from distress wilt thou preserve me; with songs of deliverance wilt thou encompass me. (Selah)
8 “I will instruct you, teaching you the way to follow. I will advise you, watching out for you.
I will instruct thee and I will teach thee concerning the way which thou oughtest to go: I will counsel thee with my eye.
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.”
Be ye not like the horse, or like the mule, who hath no understanding; who must be held in with bit and bridle, his ornament, lest he come near unto thee.
10 The wicked have many problems, but those who trust in the Lord will be surrounded by his never-failing love.
Many are the pains of the wicked; but him that trusteth in the Lord will he encompass with kindness.
11 So be happy in the Lord and celebrate, you who do good. Shout for joy, all you who live right!
Rejoice in the Lord, and be glad, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.

< Psalms 32 >