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Psalms 32

BSB·11 verses ·Old Testament
✦ Tap any verse to open Scripture Explorer — original Hebrew/Greek, commentary, notes & highlights
1Blessed is heאַשְׁרֵ֥י’aš·rê — blessed, happy, fortunateH835 — Full Word Study → whose transgressionsפֶּ֗שַׁעpe·ša‘ — Willful rebellion or transgression against God's lawH6588 — Full Word Study → are forgivenנְֽשׂוּי־nə·śui- — To lift up, raise, or bear; to carry or supportH5375 — Full Word Study →, whose sinsחֲטָאָֽה׃ḥă·ṭā·’āh — sin offering; the act of sinH2401 — Full Word Study → are coveredכְּס֣וּיkə·sui — to cover, conceal, hideH3680 — Full Word Study →. 2Blessedאַ֥שְֽׁרֵי’aš·rê — blessed, happy, fortunateH835 — Full Word Study → is the manאָדָ֗ם’ā·ḏām — Man, mankind, human beingH120 — Full Word Study → whose iniquityעָוֺ֑ן‘ā·wōn — Iniquity, guilt, or moral wrongdoingH5771 — Full Word Study → the LORDיְהוָ֣הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → does notלֹ֤אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → countיַחְשֹׁ֬בyaḥ·šōḇ — to think, devise, plan, or reckonH2803 — Full Word Study → against him, in whose spiritבְּרוּח֣וֹbə·rū·ḥōw — Spirit, breath, wind, or inner dispositionH7307 — Full Word Study → there is noוְאֵ֖יןwə·’ên — nothing, nonexistence, absenceH369 — Full Word Study → deceitרְמִיָּה׃rə·mī·yå̄h — deceit, treachery, or slothfulnessH7423 — Full Word Study →. 3Whenכִּֽי־kî- — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → I kept silentהֶ֭חֱרַשְׁתִּיhe·ḥĕ·raš·tî — to engrave, plow, devise, or keep silentH2790 — Full Word Study →, my bonesעֲצָמָ֑י‘ă·ṣā·māy — bone; body; substance; strengthH6106 — Full Word Study → became brittleבָּל֣וּbā·lū — To wear out, grow old, decayH1086 — Full Word Study → from my groaningבְּ֝שַׁאֲגָתִ֗יbə·ša·’ă·ḡā·ṯî — a roaring sound, roarH7581 — Full Word Study → all day longכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study →. 4Forכִּ֤י׀kî — because, since, that (conjunction/reason marker)H3588 — Full Word Study → dayיוֹמָ֣םyō·w·mām — During the day; daytime; by dayH3119 — Full Word Study → and nightוָלַיְלָה֮wā·lay·lāh — Night, darkness, the period of darknessH3915 — Full Word Study → Your handיָ֫דֶ֥ךָyā·ḏe·ḵā — hand; power, strength, controlH3027 — Full Word Study → was heavyתִּכְבַּ֥דtiḵ·baḏ — to honor, glorify, or make heavy/weightyH3513 — Full Word Study → upon meעָלַ֗י‘ā·lay — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study →; my strengthלְשַׁדִּ֑יlə·šad·dî — Moisture, freshness, or juicy substanceH3955 — Full Word Study → was drainedנֶהְפַּ֥ךְneh·paḵ — to overturn, turn over, transformH2015 — Full Word Study → as in the summerקַ֣יִץqa·yiṣ — summer; summer fruit; the warm seasonH7019 — Full Word Study → heatבְּחַרְבֹ֖נֵיbə·ḥar·ḇō·nê — drought, dryness, parched conditionH2725 — Full Word Study →. Selahסֶֽלָה׃se·lāh — Pause or SelahH5542 — Full Word Study → 5Then I acknowledgedאוֹדִ֪יעֲךָ֡’ō·w·ḏî·‘ă·ḵā — to know, understand, perceiveH3045 — Full Word Study → my sin to Youחַטָּאתִ֨יḥaṭ·ṭā·ṯî — sin; sin offering; sinfulnessH2403 — Full Word Study → and did notלֹֽא־lō- — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → hideכִסִּ֗יתִיḵis·sî·ṯî — to cover, conceal, hideH3680 — Full Word Study → my iniquityוַעֲוֺ֘נִ֤יwa·‘ă·wō·nî — Iniquity, guilt, or moral wrongdoingH5771 — Full Word Study →. I saidאָמַ֗רְתִּי’ā·mar·tî — to say, speak, declareH559 — Full Word Study →, “I will confessאוֹדֶ֤ה’ō·w·ḏeh — To give thanks, praise, or acknowledgeH3034 — Full Word Study → my transgressionsפְ֭שָׁעַיp̄ə·šā·‘ay — Willful rebellion or transgression against God's lawH6588 — Full Word Study → to the LORDלַיהוָ֑הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →,” and Youוְאַתָּ֨הwə·’at·tāh — You; second-person pronoun (singular or plural)H859 — Full Word Study → forgaveנָ֘שָׂ֤אתָnā·śā·ṯā — To lift up, raise, or bear; to carry or supportH5375 — Full Word Study → the guiltעֲוֺ֖ן‘ă·wōn — Iniquity, guilt, or moral wrongdoingH5771 — Full Word Study → of my sinחַטָּאתִ֣יḥaṭ·ṭā·ṯî — sin; sin offering; sinfulnessH2403 — Full Word Study →. Selahסֶֽלָה׃se·lāh — Pause or SelahH5542 — Full Word Study → 6Thereforeעַל־‘al- — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study → let allכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → the godlyחָסִ֨יד׀ḥā·sîḏ — The pious one; one characterized by faithfulness and covenant loyaltyH2623 — Full Word Study → prayיִתְפַּלֵּ֬לyiṯ·pal·lêl — to pray, intercede, or judgeH6419 — Full Word Study → to Youאֵלֶיךָ֮’ê·le·ḵā — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study → whileלְעֵ֪תlə·‘êṯ — Time, season, or appointed momentH6256 — Full Word Study → You may be foundמְ֫צֹ֥אmə·ṣō — to find, discover, obtainH4672 — Full Word Study →. Surelyרַ֗קraq — only, merely, nothing butH7535 — Full Word Study → when greatרַבִּ֑יםrab·bîm — great, many, abundant, mightyH7227 — Full Word Study → watersלְ֭שֵׁטֶףlə·šê·ṭep̄ — A violent flood or overflowing torrentH7858 — Full Word Study → riseמַ֣יִםma·yim — Water; liquid; fluidsH4325 — Full Word Study →, they will notלֹ֣אlō — not; negation; absenceH3808 — Full Word Study → come nearיַגִּֽיעוּ׃yag·gî·‘ū — to touch, reach, strike, or come into contactH5060 — Full Word Study →. 7Youאַתָּ֤ה׀’at·tāh — You; second-person pronoun (singular or plural)H859 — Full Word Study → are my hiding placeסֵ֥תֶרsê·ṯer — hiding place, shelter, concealmentH5643 — Full Word Study →. You protect meתִּ֫צְּרֵ֥נִיtiṣ·ṣə·rê·nî — to guard, watch, keep, preserveH5341 — Full Word Study → from troubleמִצַּ֪רmiṣ·ṣar — Narrow, tight, or distress; an adversary or enemyH6862 — Full Word Study →; You surround meתְּס֖וֹבְבֵ֣נִיtə·sō·wḇ·ḇê·nî — to turn, surround, go aroundH5437 — Full Word Study → with songsרָנֵּ֥יrān·nê — song, singing, melodyH7438 — Full Word Study → of deliveranceפַלֵּ֑טp̄al·lêṭ — Deliverance, escape, or rescue from dangerH6405 — Full Word Study →. Selahסֶֽלָה׃se·lāh — Pause or SelahH5542 — Full Word Study → 8I will instruct youאַשְׂכִּֽילְךָ֨׀’aś·kî·lə·ḵā — To act wisely; to understand, prosper, or give skillH7919 — Full Word Study → and teachוְֽאוֹרְךָ֗wə·’ō·wr·ḵā — To shoot, throw, or teach; to direct or instructH3384 — Full Word Study → you the wayבְּדֶֽרֶךְ־bə·ḏe·reḵ- — way, path, journey, conductH1870 — Full Word Study → you should goתֵלֵ֑ךְṯê·lêḵ — to go, walk, travel, proceedH1980 — Full Word Study →; I will give you counselאִֽיעֲצָ֖ה’î·‘ă·ṣāh — to advise, counsel, or devise a planH3289 — Full Word Study → and watch over youעָלֶ֣יךָ‘ā·le·ḵā — upon, over, against; concerningH5921 — Full Word Study →. 9Do notאַל־’al- — do not; negative imperative particleH408 — Full Word Study → beתִּֽהְי֤וּ׀tih·yū — to be, become, exist, happenH1961 — Full Word Study → like the horseכְּס֥וּסkə·sūs — horse; swift creatureH5483 — Full Word Study → or muleכְּפֶרֶד֮kə·p̄e·reḏ — A mule; a hybrid pack animalH6505 — Full Word Study →, which have no understandingהָ֫בִ֥יןhā·ḇîn — To understand, discern, perceiveH995 — Full Word Study →; they must be controlledלִבְל֑וֹםliḇ·lō·wm — to restrain, hold back, keep in checkH1102 — Full Word Study → with bitבְּמֶֽתֶג־bə·me·ṯeḡ- — Bridle; bit used to control a horseH4964 — Full Word Study → and bridleוָרֶ֣סֶןwā·re·sen — bridle; restraint or controlH7448 — Full Word Study → to make them comeקְרֹ֣בqə·rōḇ — to approach, draw near, come forwardH7126 — Full Word Study → to youאֵלֶֽיךָ׃’ê·le·ḵā — to, toward, against; directional and relational prepositionH413 — Full Word Study →. 10Manyרַבִּ֥יםrab·bîm — great, many, abundant, mightyH7227 — Full Word Study → are the sorrowsמַכְאוֹבִ֗יםmaḵ·’ō·w·ḇîm — Physical or emotional pain; anguishH4341 — Full Word Study → of the wickedלָרָ֫שָׁ֥עlā·rā·šā‘ — wicked, guilty, morally corruptH7563 — Full Word Study →, but loving devotionחֶ֝֗סֶדḥe·seḏ — Covenant loyalty and steadfast kindnessH2617 — Full Word Study → surrounds himיְסוֹבְבֶֽנּוּ׃yə·sō·wḇ·ḇen·nū — to turn, surround, go aroundH5437 — Full Word Study → who trustsוְהַבּוֹטֵ֥חַwə·hab·bō·w·ṭê·aḥ — to trust, rely on, have confidenceH982 — Full Word Study → in the LORDבַּיהוָ֑הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study →. 11Be gladשִׂמְח֬וּśim·ḥū — To rejoice, be glad, make merryH8055 — Full Word Study → in the LORDבַֽיהוָ֣הYah·weh — The LORD; God's covenant nameH3068 — Full Word Study → and rejoiceוְ֭גִילוּwə·ḡî·lū — to rejoice, be glad, exultH1523 — Full Word Study →, O righteous onesצַדִּיקִ֑יםṣad·dî·qîm — Righteous, just person; one who is right with GodH6662 — Full Word Study →; shout for joyוְ֝הַרְנִ֗ינוּwə·har·nî·nū — To shout or sing aloud with joy; to cry out triumphantlyH7442 — Full Word Study →, allכָּל־kāl- — All, every, whole, totalityH3605 — Full Word Study → you uprightיִשְׁרֵי־yiš·rê- — upright, straight, righteous, justH3477 — Full Word Study → in heartלֵֽב׃lêḇ — Heart; the center of emotion, will, and intellectH3820 — Full Word Study →.
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Chapter Commentary — Psalms 32
Chapter Overview

Chapter Overview

Psalm 32 is a powerful testimony to the forgiveness of God and the spiritual relief that comes through honest confession. Written in the first person, David recounts his experience of hiding sin, the painful consequences of that silence, and the complete restoration he found when he finally acknowledged his transgression before the Lord. The psalm moves from the blessing of forgiven sin (verses 1-2) through David's painful season of concealment (verses 3-4), to his decisive confession and God's immediate pardon (verse 5), and finally to instruction and assurance for all believers who follow the same path of repentance (verses 6-11). This is a psalm about the freedom found in honesty before God.

Verses 1-2: The Blessing of Forgiveness

David opens with a double blessing: "Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered." The repetition emphasizes that true happiness flows from being restored to right relationship with God. The word "covered" (Hebrew: kasah) suggests that sin is hidden from God's sight—not hidden from Him literally, but treated as though it no longer stands against us. Verse 2 adds another layer: "unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity"—meaning God does not reckon or count the sin against the person. Critically, verse 2 also notes "in whose spirit there is no guile"—the person in right standing with God is marked by honesty and authenticity, not deception.

Application: Real blessing comes not from appearing righteous, but from being righteous through honest confession and divine forgiveness.

Verses 3-5: From Silence to Confession

David now describes the misery of unconfessed sin. When he "kept silence" (verse 3), refusing to acknowledge his wrongdoing, his physical body deteriorated—his "bones waxed old" and he "roared all the day long" in inner anguish. Verse 4 adds that God's hand was "heavy upon him," suggesting both conviction and chastening. His vitality drained away ("my moisture is turned into the drought"), a vivid picture of how guilt depletes the soul.

The turning point comes in verse 5. David moves from silence to speech: "I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid." The moment he confessed—openly and directly to God—forgiveness came immediately: "thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin." There is no delay, no payment required, no penance. Confession met with pardon. This is the heart of the gospel: honest acknowledgment of sin results in divine mercy.

Application: Hiding sin hurts us deeply; confessing it heals us completely. God's door stands open to the truly repentant.

Verses 6-11: The Godly Life and God's Protection

Verses 6-7 show the ripple effect of David's confession. Because he has experienced forgiveness, "every one that is godly" should "pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found." The implication is that God is accessible to those who seek Him in sincerity. Verse 6 promises that in times of trouble ("floods of great waters"), those who have made peace with God through confession will not be overwhelmed.

Verses 8-9 contain God's word to the forgiven sinner: God will instruct and guide him, watching over him carefully ("guide thee with mine eye"). By contrast, those who refuse to repent are like "the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding"—stubborn creatures requiring external restraint rather than internal submission to God's will.

The psalm closes with a stark contrast (verses 10-11): "Many sorrows shall be to the wicked; but he that trusteth in the LORD, mercy shall compass him about." The righteous are called to "Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice" and "shout for joy."

Application: God's guidance and protection belong to those who have humbled themselves in confession and now trust Him wholeheartedly.

Application for Today

Psalm 32 invites us to stop pretending and start confessing. Many believers live in spiritual exhaustion because they are hiding sin, maintaining false images, or refusing to be honest with God. The promise of this psalm is liberation: bring your sin into the light, confess it plainly, and discover that God's mercy is immediate and complete. True joy and authentic Christian living flow from the radical honesty of confession and the radical grace of divine forgiveness.

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