1 The understanding of David himself. Blessed are they whose iniquities have been forgiven and whose sins have been covered. 2 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord has not imputed sin, and in whose spirit there is no deceit. 3 Because I was silent, my bones grew old, while still I cried out all day long. 4 For, day and night, your hand was heavy upon me. I have been converted in my anguish, while still the thorn is piercing. 5 I have acknowledged my offense to you, and I have not concealed my injustice. I said, “I will confess against myself, my injustice to the Lord,” and you forgave the impiety of my sin. 6 For this, everyone who is holy will pray to you in due time. Yet truly, in a flood of many waters, they will not draw near to him. 7 You are my refuge from the tribulation that has surrounded me. You are my exultation: rescue me from those who are surrounding me. 8 I will give you understanding, and I will instruct you in this way, in which you will walk. I will fix my eyes upon you. 9 Do not become like the horse and the mule, which have no understanding. Their jaws are constrained with bit and bridle, so as not to draw near to you. 10 Many are the scourges of the sinner, but mercy will surround him that hopes in the Lord. 11 Rejoice in the Lord and exult, you just ones, and glory, all you upright of heart.
Psalms · Catholic Public Domain Version
Psalm 31 (32) Catholic Public Domain Version
Audio: World English Bible (WEB), read by Winfred W. Henson · Psalm 32 · About the recordings
Notes on this text (4)
- Greek and Latin Bibles number most Psalms one lower than Hebrew and English Bibles.
- Psalms follow the Greek/Latin numbering, with the psalm titles counted as verse 1 (as in the Vulgate).
- Esther and Daniel are the Vulgate books (Esther 1–16 with the Greek additions as chapters 10:4–16; Daniel 1–14 with the Song of the Three, Susanna and Bel). Baruch 6 is the Letter of Jeremiah.
- The translator's footnotes, cross-references, chapter summaries and book introductions in the CrossWire module are not shown.
Cross references (11)
Related passages for each verse, from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge as collected and ranked by readers at OpenBible.info. References use English (Hebrew-based) verse numbers; links open the passage in CPDV.
- 1 Romans 4:6–8; Isaiah 44:22; Psalm 85:2; Acts 13:38–39; Isaiah 43:25
- 2 John 1:47; Revelation 14:5; 2 Corinthians 5:19–21; 1 Peter 2:1–2; 2 Corinthians 1:12
- 3 Proverbs 28:13; Psalm 38:8; Psalm 38:3; Psalm 22:1; Lamentations 3:8
- 4 1 Samuel 5:11; Psalm 38:2–8; Psalm 39:10–11; Job 33:7; Psalm 22:15
- 5 Proverbs 28:13; 2 Samuel 12:13; Psalm 51:3–5; Psalm 38:18; Psalm 30:5
- 6 Isaiah 55:6; Isaiah 43:2; 2 Corinthians 6:2; Proverbs 1:28; Psalm 34:2–5
- 7 Psalm 91:1; Psalm 119:114; Psalm 27:5; Psalm 9:9; Psalm 143:9
- 8 Proverbs 3:5–6; Psalm 33:18; Psalm 25:8–10; Matthew 11:29; Proverbs 8:10–11
- 9 Proverbs 26:3; Jeremiah 4:22; Job 35:11; Jeremiah 8:6–7; James 4:7–10
- 10 Proverbs 16:20; Isaiah 12:2–3; Proverbs 13:21; Psalm 147:11; Romans 2:8–9
- 11 Psalm 64:10; Psalm 97:12; Philippians 4:4; Psalm 5:11; Psalm 97:1
Cross references: OpenBible.info (CC BY), drawn mainly from the public-domain Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. · Sources & licences
What the Fathers said
Passages from the Church Fathers that expound or quote this chapter, verbatim from the public-domain Schaff edition (19th-century English translations). Verse numbers below follow the Hebrew/English numbering: 32.
How these were chosen
“Commentary” is the opening of a homily or exposition on this chapter (John Chrysostom’s homilies, Augustine’s tractates, sermons and expositions of the Psalms). “Quotes” are sentences where the edition’s own footnotes identify a quotation of a verse here, kept only when the wording matches the verse. Only works whose authorship is not in doubt are used. Psalms follow the Hebrew/English numbering (Augustine numbers them as the Septuagint does: his Psalm 50 is Psalm 51 here).
The righteous cried, and the Lord heard him, and delivered him out of all his troubles." "Many are the stripes [appointed for] the wicked; but mercy shall compass those about who hope in the Lord." Chapter XXIII — Be humble, and believe that Christ will come again The all-merciful and beneficent Father has bowels [of compassion] towards those that fear …
Not by that power do I find my God; for then the horse and the mule, "which have no understanding," might find Him, since it is the same power by which their bodies also live.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 1 (1886)
… of your own sins, hear the voice of the Prophet saying, Wash you, make you clean, put away your iniquities from before Mine eyes: that the choir of Angels may chant over you, Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 2, vol. 7 (1894)
But joy is used in a good sense: "Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous." And, "Thou hast put gladness in my heart." And, "Thou wilt fill me with joy with Thy countenance." Fear is used in a good sense by the apostle when he says, "Work out your salvation with fear and trembling." And, "Be not high-minded, …
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 1, vol. 2 (1887)
… up in faith: tell the Physician thine ailment: say thou also, like David: I said, I will confess me my sin unto the Lord: and the same shall be done in thy case, which he says forthwith: And thou forgavest the wickedness of my heart.
Read in context · Nicene and Post-Nicene Fathers, series 2, vol. 7 (1894)