Psalm 32:
Amplified Bible (AMP)
Psalm 32
[A Psalm of David.] A skillful song, or a didactic or reflective poem.
1 Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is he who has forgiveness of his transgression continually exercised upon him, whose sin is covered.
2 Blessed (happy, fortunate, to be envied) is the man to whom the Lord imputes no iniquity and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
3 When I kept silence [before I confessed], my bones wasted away through my groaning all the day long.
4 For day and night Your hand [of displeasure] was heavy upon me; my moisture was turned into the drought of summer. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!
5 I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I did not hide. I said, I will confess my transgressions to the Lord [continually unfolding the past till all is told]—then You [instantly] forgave me the guilt and iniquity of my sin. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!
6 For this [forgiveness] let everyone who is godly pray—pray to You in a time when You may be found; surely when the great waters [of trial] overflow, they shall not reach [the spirit in] him.
7 You are a hiding place for me; You, Lord, preserve me from trouble, You surround me with songs and shouts of deliverance. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!
8 I [the Lord] will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you with My eye upon you.
9 Be not like the horse or the mule, which lack understanding, which must have their mouths held firm with bit and bridle, or else they will not come with you.
10 Many are the sorrows of the wicked, but he who trusts in, relies on, and confidently leans on the Lord shall be compassed about with mercy and with loving-kindness.
11 Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you [uncompromisingly] righteous [you who are upright and in right standing with Him]; shout for joy, all you upright in heart!
Confession of our sins and failures before God is a vital part of our daily walk with Him. It is key to our being glad and rejoicing. When we try to bury our sin or cling tightly to our guilt, we are buried in sorrow. God has promised to guide us, teach us, and counsel us each step of this journey. Yet, some of us who know Christ have had to be lead like the bridled mule at some points in our lives. We may at times hold tight to our sin believing that if we hide it well enough perhaps God won’t notice. Instead, we become further depressed and frustrated. God places the tight bridle to prevent us from falling deeper while we struggle and fight against the bit. Then we suddenly realize that we are the one breaking God’s heart with our insolence–we fall before Him broken, with a contrite heart that only seeks Him. He wraps His mercy around us and suddenly hope and joy floods our heart with praise and rejoicing. That is what mercy does for us. That is His unending grace for our lives.