Psalms 32

1 Blessed are those whose acts of lawlessness were forgiven and whose sins were covered.

2 Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will not count against him and whose mouth contains no deceit.

3 Because I remained silent, my bones grew old from my crying out all day.

4 Day and night your hand weighed heavily upon me. I was reduced to misery as a thorn pierced me. Pause.

5 I made my sin known and did not cover my lawlessness. I said, “I will speak openly against myself about my lawlessness to the Lord,” and you forgave the ungodliness of my sin. Pause.

6 Because of this, everyone who is holy will pray to you at the proper time. Even in a flood of many waters, they will not come near him.

7 You are my refuge from the distress surrounding me, my joy. Ransom me from those who surround me. Pause.

8 “I will give you understanding and guide you on the way you should travel; I will keep my eyes fixed on you.

9 Do not become like a horse or mule, which have no understanding. The jaws of those who do not come near to you must be restrained with bit and bridle.”

10 Many are the sinner’s scourges, but mercy will surround the one who trusts in the Lord.

11 Be glad in the Lord and celebrate, you righteous! Boast, all you whose hearts are upright!