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This is a special song that David wrote.

Tell God about your sins[a]

32 When God has forgiven someone's sins,
    they are truly happy!
They may have turned against God,
    but when God forgives them, they are happy.
They may have done something bad,
    but when the Lord says, ‘Not guilty!’,
    he has truly blessed them.
They are happy because they no longer try to hide their sins.

When I said nothing to God about my sin,
    my whole body became weak.
I cried all the time because of the pain.
In the day and in the night,
    you punished me very much.
It seemed as if the hot sun was taking away my strength.
Selah.
Then I told you about my sins.
I did not try to hide the bad things that I had done.
I said, ‘I will tell the Lord
    about the things that I have done against him.’
When I did that, you forgave my sins.
Selah.
Because of this, all your own people should pray to you.
They should pray while they still have the chance.[b]
Then, when danger comes to them like a river of deep water,
    they will still be safe.
Yes, Lord, you are a place where I can hide.
    You will keep me safe from trouble.
I will hear happy songs all around me,
    because you save your people from danger.
Selah.
I will teach you the right way to live.
I will be your guide
    and I will take care of you.[c]
Do not be like a silly horse, or a mule.
You have to use a rope to show them which way to go.
    Without that, they will not obey you.
10 Wicked people will receive a lot of trouble and pain.
But if anyone trusts in the Lord,
    they will know that God always loves them.
11 So all you people who belong to the Lord,
    praise him and be happy!
All of you who are good, honest people,
    shout aloud because you are so happy!

Footnotes

  1. 32:1 This psalm helps us to tell God when we have done something that is wrong. God already knows about it, but he will not forgive us until we show him that we are sorry. David knew that he had done bad things that did not please God. When he knew that God had forgiven him, he could be happy again. There are other Psalms which say ‘sorry’ to God. See Psalms 38; 51; 102; 130; 143.
  2. 32:6 ‘while they still have the chance’ or ‘when they know about their sin’.
  3. 32:8 These are God's words. He is promising to take care of David.

Psalm 32

Of David. A maskil.[a]

Blessed is the one
    whose transgressions are forgiven,
    whose sins are covered.(A)
Blessed is the one
    whose sin the Lord does not count against them(B)
    and in whose spirit is no deceit.(C)

When I kept silent,(D)
    my bones wasted away(E)
    through my groaning(F) all day long.
For day and night
    your hand was heavy(G) on me;
my strength was sapped(H)
    as in the heat of summer.[b]

Then I acknowledged my sin to you
    and did not cover up my iniquity.(I)
I said, “I will confess(J)
    my transgressions(K) to the Lord.”
And you forgave
    the guilt of my sin.(L)

Therefore let all the faithful pray to you
    while you may be found;(M)
surely the rising(N) of the mighty waters(O)
    will not reach them.(P)
You are my hiding place;(Q)
    you will protect me from trouble(R)
    and surround me with songs of deliverance.(S)

I will instruct(T) you and teach you(U) in the way you should go;
    I will counsel you with my loving eye on(V) you.
Do not be like the horse or the mule,
    which have no understanding
but must be controlled by bit and bridle(W)
    or they will not come to you.
10 Many are the woes of the wicked,(X)
    but the Lord’s unfailing love
    surrounds the one who trusts(Y) in him.

11 Rejoice in the Lord(Z) and be glad, you righteous;
    sing, all you who are upright in heart!

Footnotes

  1. Psalm 32:1 Title: Probably a literary or musical term
  2. Psalm 32:4 The Hebrew has Selah (a word of uncertain meaning) here and at the end of verses 5 and 7.