1 A psalm of David. How happy are those whose wrongs are forgiven, whose sins are covered. 2 How happy are those whose sins the Lord does not count against them, those who do not act deceptively. 3 When I kept quiet, my body fell apart as I groaned in distress all day long. 4 You beat me day and night, my strength dried up as in the heat of summer. Selah. 5 Then 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. 6 Therefore 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. 7 For you are my refuge, you protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of salvation. Selah. 8 “I will instruct you, teaching you the way to follow. I will advise you, watching out for you. 9 You 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.” 10 The wicked have many problems, but those who trust in the Lord will be surrounded by his never-failing love. 11 So be happy in the Lord and celebrate, you who do good. Shout for joy, all you who live right!
Psalm 32 Free Bible Version
Audio: World English Bible (WEB), read by Winfred W. Henson · About the recordings
Notes on this text (1)
- Greek and Latin Bibles number most Psalms one lower than Hebrew and English Bibles.
Cross references (11)
Related passages for each verse, from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge as collected and ranked by readers at OpenBible.info.
- 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).
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)