*Psalms 32

₁People are very happy when

the Lord has forgiven their sins,

and when the Lord has covered

the things that they have done wrong

and does not punish them.

₂People can rejoice if

the Lord says they are not guilty

and they are not false.

₃When I kept quiet about my sin,

I felt weak. I became thinner,

and I complained all day.

₄Because You made me suffer

every day and night,

and it was like a fire burning inside of me. Selah

₅Then I confessed my sins to You.

I did not try and hide my guilt anymore.

I said: ‘I will confess

my sins to the Lord,

and I will tell Him that I was rebellious.’

And You forgave me,

and You took away all of my sins. Selah

₆Every person who believes in You

should pray to You

when things are going wrong.

Then his trouble will not

become too much for him

like a flood of water.

₇You protect me,

and You keep me away from danger.

You set me free

so that I can sing and rejoice. Selah

₈The Lord says:

‘I want to teach you how to live.

I want to give you advice

and look at what you do.

₉Don't be like a horse

or mule that is stupid,

that will not listen if you don't

put a bit in his mouth

or if you want to come near him.’

₁₀Sinful people have a lot of trouble,

but people who believe in the Lord

have the love of the Lord

around them like a shield.

₁₁All of you who live in the right way

must be happy. You who are righteous,

you must rejoice and sing.