Psalm chapter 32
English Standard Version
1 Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. 2Blessed is the man against whom the Lord counts no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. 3For when I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. 4For day and night your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was dried up as by the heat of summer. Selah 5I acknowledged my sin to you, and I did not cover my iniquity; I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the Lord," and you forgave the iniquity of my sin. Selah 6Therefore let everyone who is godly offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found; surely in the rush of great waters, they shall not reach him. 7You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance. Selah 8I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. 9 Be not like a horse or a mule, without understanding, which must be curbed with bit and bridle, or it will not stay near you. 10 Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in the Lord. 11 Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!
New International Version
2Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit. 3When I kept silent, my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long.
5Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the Lord." And you forgave the guilt of my sin. 6Therefore let all the faithful pray to you while you may be found; surely the rising of the mighty waters will not reach them.
7You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. 8I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you. 9Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you.
New American Standard Bible
1 How blessed is he whose wrongdoing is forgiven, Whose sin is covered! 2How blessed is a person whose guilt the Lord does not take into account, And in whose spirit there is no deceit! 3When I kept silent about my sin, my body wasted away Through my groaning all day long. 4For day and night Your hand was heavy upon me; My vitality failed as with the dry heat of summer. Selah 5I acknowledged my sin to You, And I did not hide my guilt; I said, 'I will confess my wrongdoings to the Lord'; And You forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah 6Therefore, let everyone who is godly pray to You in a time when You may be found; Certainly in a flood of great waters, they will not reach him. 7You are my hiding place; You keep me from trouble; You surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah 8I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will advise you with My eye upon you. 9Do not be like the horse or like the mule, which have no understanding, Whose trappings include bit and bridle to hold them in check, Otherwise they will not come near to you. 10The sorrows of the wicked are many, But the one who trusts in the Lord, goodness will surround him. 11Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous ones; And shout for joy, all you who are upright in heart.
Christian Standard Bible
2How joyful is a person whom the Lord does not charge with iniquity and in whose spirit is no deceit! 3When I kept silent, my bones became brittle from my groaning all day long.
4For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was drained as in the summer’s heat. Selah
5Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not conceal my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the Lord," and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah 6Therefore let everyone who is faithful pray to you immediately. When great floodwaters come, they will not reach him.
7You are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble. You surround me with joyful shouts of deliverance. Selah 8I will instruct you and show you the way to go; with my eye on you, I will give counsel.
9Do not be like a horse or mule, without understanding, that must be controlled with bit and bridle or else it will not come near you. 10Many pains come to the wicked, but the one who trusts in the Lord will have faithful love surrounding him. 11Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous ones; shout for joy, all you upright in heart.
New Living Translation
1 Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! 2Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty! 3When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long.
King James Version
New King James Version
1{A Psalm of David. A Contemplation.} Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered. 2Blessed is the man to whom the Lord does not impute iniquity, And in whose spirit there is no deceit. 3When I kept silent, my bones grew old Through my groaning all the day long.
8I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye. 9Do not be like the horse or like the mule, Which have no understanding, Which must be harnessed with bit and bridle, Else they will not come near you. 10 Many sorrows shall be to the wicked; But he who trusts in the Lord, mercy shall surround him. 11 Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous; And shout for joy, all you upright in heart!
What does Psalm chapter 32 mean?
When David committed sin with Bathsheba, then sinned further trying to cover up his crimes, God brought intense misery into his life. It was not until Nathan, a prophet, rebuked David that he finally admitted his guilt before the Lord and found forgiveness (2 Samuel 11—12). This psalm corresponds to Psalm 51, which was David's initial response to Nathan's righteous accusation. In Psalm 32, David reflects on the blessing of divine forgiveness. That self-examination is likely part of the meaning of the Hebrew term Maskiyl, likely referring to a specific type of musical arrangement.The psalm begins with David expressing the relief which comes with being forgiven of sin. This can only come when a person confesses to God and accepts that their actions were wrong. Resisting that admission cost David intense emotional and physical distress. God's conviction is unpleasant, but it's part of His mercy (Hebrews 12:6). Forcing a person to confront their own sin leads to repentance, restoration, and growth (1 John 1:8–10). When there is no admission of sin, that relationship remains strained (Psalm 32:1–4).
Confession before God leads to relief. Those who sincerely seek God (John 3:36) can anticipate being forgiven when they acknowledge sin and repent. David encourages others to do the same as he has done (Psalm 32:5–7).
The advice offered next is subject to some level of debate. Interpreters disagree as to whether verses 8 and 9 are "spoken" from the perspective of David, or as God. Neither option changes the truth, meaning, or application of the verses. True wisdom starts with an acknowledgement of God's truth (Proverbs 1:7). Reacting negatively to good counsel is foolish and leads to even more suffering. Those who trust in God's knowledge are not free from all troubles (John 16:33), but they can be assured of His loving care amid those circumstances (Psalm 32:8–9).
The psalm concludes with an encouragement for praise. Compared to those who stubbornly refuse to admit their sin, humble and godly people have every reason to rejoice in God. Receiving forgiveness of sin not only results in an immediate restoration of our relationship with God, but it also gives reasons for us to celebrate (Psalm 32:10–11).
