Psalms 32
32
(A special psalm by David.)
The Joy of Forgiveness
1 #
Ro 4.7,8. Our Lord, you bless everyone
whose sins you forgive
and wipe away.
2You bless them by saying,
“You told me your sins,
without trying to hide them,
and now I forgive you.”
3Before I confessed my sins,
my bones felt limp,
and I groaned all day long.
4Night and day your hand
weighed heavily on me,
and my strength was gone
as in the summer heat.
5So I confessed my sins
and told them all to you.
I said, “I'll tell the Lord
each one of my sins.”
Then you forgave me
and took away my guilt.
6We worship you, Lord,
and we should always pray
whenever we find out
that we have sinned.#32.6 whenever … sinned: Hebrew “at a time of finding only.”
Then we won't be swept away
by a raging flood.
7You are my hiding place!
You protect me from trouble,
and you put songs in my heart
because you have saved me.
8You said to me,
“I will point out the road
that you should follow.
I will be your teacher
and watch over you.
9Don't be stupid
like horses and mules
that must be led with ropes
to make them obey.”
10All kinds of troubles
will strike the wicked,
but your kindness shields those
who trust you, Lord.
11And so your good people
should celebrate and shout.
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Psalms 32: CEVDCI
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Contemporary English Version, Second Edition (CEV®)
© 2006 American Bible Society. All rights reserved.
Psalms 32
32
A psalm of David.
1How happy are those whose wrongs are forgiven, whose sins are covered.#32:1. The two verbs used here reflect differing ideas in relation to how sins are dealt with. In the first they are “carried away” (the Hebrew meaning of forgiveness), while in the second they are “covered” in the sense that they are no longer seen, rendered invisible. As in all metaphors, such concepts are limited since one can argue that sins cannot be “removed” in that the actions cannot be undone, nor are sins amenable to a “cover up” operation—meaning that while they are concealed they are still there. In all such discussions the wider concepts of the meaning of sin must be considered: as primarily a broken relationship with God, with wrong attitudes and actions that lead to separation and death.
2How happy are those whose sins the Lord does not count against them, those who do not act deceptively.
3When I kept quiet,#32:3. “Kept quiet”—not confessing his sin. The resulting inner turmoil and stress resulted in health issues. my body fell apart as I groaned in distress all day long.
4You beat me day and night,#32:4. Literally, “Your hand was heavy on me.” my strength dried up as in the heat of summer. Selah.
5Then 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.
6Therefore 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.
7For you are my refuge, you protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of salvation. Selah.
8“I#32:8. It is not clear from the text whether “I” refers to the Lord or to the psalmist. Here the verse is placed in quote marks assuming these are words of the Lord. will instruct you, teaching you the way to follow. I will advise you, watching out for you.
9You 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.”#32:9. Literally, “or they will not come near you.”
10The wicked have many problems, but those who trust in the Lord will be surrounded by his never-failing love.
11So be happy in the Lord and celebrate, you who do good. Shout for joy, all you who live right!
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Dr. Jonathan Gallagher. Released under Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 Unported License. Version 4.3. For corrections send email to jonathangallagherfbv@gmail.com