Psalm 32

Common Metre (8,6,8,6)

Suggested Tunes: 31 Bedford, 110 St David, 125 St Peter, 146 Wigtown

1    O blessed is the man to whom

            is freely pardoned

      All the transgression he hath done,

            whose sin is covered.

2    Bless’d is the man to whom the Lord

            imputeth not his sin,

      And in whose sp’rit there is no guile,

            nor fraud is found therein.

3    When as I did refrain my speech,

            and silent was my tongue,

      My bones then waxed old, because

            I roared all day long.

4    For upon me both day and night

            thine hand did heavy lie,

      So that my moisture turned is

            in summer’s drought thereby.

5    I thereupon have unto thee

            my sin acknowledged,

      And likewise mine iniquity

            I have not covered:

      I will confess unto the Lord

            my trespasses, said I;

      And of my sin thou freely didst

            forgive th’ iniquity.

6    For this shall ev’ry godly one

            his prayer make to thee;

      In such a time he shall thee seek,

            as found thou mayest be.

      Surely, when floods of waters great

            do swell up to the brim,

      They shall not overwhelm his soul,

            nor once come near to him.

7    Thou art my hiding-place, thou shalt

            from trouble keep me free;

      Thou with songs of deliverance

            about shalt compass me.

8    I will instruct thee, and thee teach

            the way that thou shalt go;

      And, with mine eye upon thee set,

            I will direction show.

9    Then be not like the horse or mule,

            which do not understand;

      Whose mouth, lest they come near to thee,

            a bridle must command.

10  Unto the man that wicked is

            his sorrows shall abound;

      But him that trusteth in the Lord

            mercy shall compass round.

11  Ye righteous, in the Lord be glad,

            in him do ye rejoice:

      All ye that upright are in heart,

            for joy lift up your voice.