Psalms 32:5
What does Psalms 32:5 mean?
A plain-English look at Psalms 32:5 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.
What Psalms 32:5 means
Psalm 32:5 describes the pivotal moment of confession and subsequent forgiveness. The psalmist, David, acknowledges his sin and iniquity, using parallel terms to emphasize the depth of his transgression. The act of not hiding his iniquity signifies a genuine and open admission before God. The psalmist's resolve to "confess my transgressions to Yahweh" highlights the personal and direct nature of this confession. Immediately, the response is divine forgiveness, a release from the burden of sin. The term "Selah" functions as a musical or literary pause, inviting reflection on the profound spiritual truth just expressed: the liberating power of confessed sin and God's instantaneous grace.
Parallel translations
WEB
World English Bible · 2000I acknowledged my sin unto thee, And mine iniquity did I not hide: I said, I will confess my transgressions unto Jehovah; And thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. [Selah
KJV
King James Version · 1611I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the Lord; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.
ASV
American Standard Version · 1901I acknowledged my sin unto thee, And mine iniquity did I not hide: I said, I will confess my transgressions unto Jehovah; And thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. [Selah
BBE
Bible in Basic English · 1949I made my wrongdoing clear to you, and did not keep back my sin. I said, I will put it all before the Lord; and you took away my wrongdoing and my sin. (Selah.)
YLT
Young's Literal Translation · 1862My sin I cause Thee to know, And mine iniquity I have not covered. I have said, `I confess concerning My transgressions to Jehovah,' And Thou--Thou hast taken away, The iniquity of my sin. Selah.
DRA
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752He loveth mercy and judgment; the earth is full of the mercy of the Lord.
DBY
Darby Bible · 1890I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity I covered not; I said, I will confess my transgressions unto Jehovah, and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.
Context
This verse is central to Psalm 32, a psalm of wisdom and personal testimony. It follows verses that describe the deep distress and suffering the psalmist experienced while attempting to conceal his sin. The "moaning all day long" and the "hand of Yahweh heavy upon me" in prior verses set the stage for the breakthrough confession found in verse 5. Following this confession and forgiveness, the psalm shifts to a tone of joy and instruction, with David recounting his experience as a lesson for others. He encourages the righteous to rejoice and shouts for joy, contrasting with his previous agony. This verse is the turning point, marking the transition from guilt and suffering to peace and restoration within the chapter's narrative arc.
Cross references
Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.
- Luke 15:17
But when he came to himself he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish here with hunger!
- Psalms 103:3
Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; Who healeth all thy diseases;
- Luke 7:47
Wherefore I say unto thee, Her sins, which are many, are forgiven; for she loved much: but to whom little is forgiven, the same loveth little.
- Malachi 3:8
Will a man rob God? yet ye rob me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.
- Psalms 51:3
For I know my transgressions; And my sin is ever before me.
- Job 33:27
He singeth before men, and saith, I have sinned, and perverted that which was right, And it profited me not:
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