Psalms 31

¹The understanding of David himself. Blessed are they whose iniquities have been forgiven and whose sins have been covered

²Blessed is the man to whom the Lord has not imputed sin, and in whose spirit there is no deceit

³Because I was silent, my bones grew old, while still I cried out all day long

⁴For, day and night, your hand was heavy upon me. I have been converted in my anguish, while still the thorn is piercing

⁵I have acknowledged my offense to you, and I have not concealed my injustice. I said, “I will confess against myself, my injustice to the Lord,” and you forgave the impiety of my sin

⁶For this, everyone who is holy will pray to you in due time. Yet truly, in a flood of many waters, they will not draw near to him

⁷You are my refuge from the tribulation that has surrounded me. You are my exultation: rescue me from those who are surrounding me

⁸I will give you understanding, and I will instruct you in this way, in which you will walk. I will fix my eyes upon you

⁹Do not become like the horse and the mule, which have no understanding. Their jaws are constrained with bit and bridle, so as not to draw near to you

¹⁰Many are the scourges of the sinner, but mercy will surround him that hopes in the Lord

¹¹Rejoice in the Lord and exult, you just ones, and glory, all you upright of heart