The Joy of Forgiveness

¹How joyful is the one

whose transgression is forgiven,

whose sin is covered!

²How joyful is a person whom

the Lord does not charge with iniquity

and in whose spirit is no deceit!

³When I kept silent, my bones became brittle

from my groaning all day long.

⁴For day and night your hand was heavy on me;[#32:4 Jb 23:2; Ps 38:2]

my strength was drained

as in the summer’s heat. Selah

⁵Then I acknowledged my sin to you[#32:5 Ps 51:4]

and did not conceal my iniquity.

I said, ‘I will confess my transgressions to the Lord ,’

and you forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah

⁶Therefore let everyone who is faithful pray to you immediately. ,[#32:6 Lit you at a time of finding; #32:6 Is 55:6]

When great floodwaters come,

they will not reach him.

⁷You are my hiding place;[#32:7 Ps 31:20; 91:1]

you protect me from trouble.

You surround me with joyful shouts of deliverance. Selah

⁸I will instruct you and show you the way to go;[#32:8 Ps 25:8,12]

with my eye on you, I will give counsel.

⁹Do not be like a horse or mule,

without understanding,

that must be controlled with bit and bridle

or else it will not come near you.

¹⁰Many pains come to the wicked,[#32:10 Pr 13:21; Rm 2:9]

but the one who trusts in the Lord

will have faithful love surrounding him.

¹¹Be glad in the Lord and rejoice,

you righteous ones;

shout for joy,

all you upright in heart.