Psalm 32
The Joy of Forgiveness
(Romans 4:1–12)
Of David. A Maskil.1
¹ Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.2
² Blessed is the man whose iniquity the LORD does not count against him,3 in whose spirit there is no deceit.
³ When I kept silent, my bones became brittle from my groaning all day long.
⁴ For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was drained 4 as in the summer heat. Selah
⁵ Then I acknowledged my sin to You and did not hide my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and You forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah
⁶ Therefore let all the godly pray to You while You may be found. Surely when great waters rise, they will not come near.
⁷ You are my hiding place. You protect me from trouble; You surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah
⁸ I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will give you counsel and watch over you.
⁹ Do not be like the horse or mule, which have no understanding; they must be controlled with bit and bridle to make them come to you.
¹⁰ Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but loving devotion surrounds him who trusts in the LORD.
¹¹ Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, O righteous ones; shout for joy, all you upright in heart.
32:0 Maskil is probably a musical or liturgical term; used for Psalms 32, 42, 44–45, 52–55, 74, 78, 88–89, and 142. ↩︎
32:1 LXX Blessed is he whose lawless acts are forgiven, whose sins are covered; cited in Romans 4:7 ↩︎
32:2 LXX Blessed is the man whose sin the LORD does not count against him; cited in Romans 4:8 ↩︎
32:4 Or my vitality was turned ↩︎