Psalm 32 Catholic: Blessed Are They Whose Sins Are Forgiven

Psalm 32, “Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered,” is the joy of a sinner who has confessed and been forgiven. It describes the misery of hiding sin, “Because I was silent my bones grew old,” and the relief of confession: “I said I will confess against myself my injustice to the Lord: and thou hast forgiven the wickedness of my sin.” It is the second of the seven penitential psalms. In the Douay-Rheims it is numbered Psalm 31. Below is the full Catholic text, what the psalm means, how the Church uses it, and a prayer.

Psalm 32 in the Douay-Rheims Bible

To David himself, understanding. Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.
Blessed is the man to whom the Lord hath not imputed sin, and in whose spirit there is no guile.
Because I was silent my bones grew old; whilst I cried out all the day long.
For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: I am turned in my anguish, whilst the thorn is fastened.
I have acknowledged my sin to thee, and my injustice I have not concealed. I said I will confess against myself my injustice to the Lord: and thou hast forgiven the wickedness of my sin.
For this shall every one that is holy pray to thee in a seasonable time. And yet in a flood of many waters, they shall not come nigh unto him.
Thou art my refuge from the trouble which hath encompassed me: my joy, deliver me from them that surround me.
I will give thee understanding, and I will instruct thee in this way, in which thou shalt go: I will fix my eyes upon thee.
Do not become like the horse and the mule, who have no understanding. With bit and bridle bind fast their jaws, who come not near unto thee.
Many are the scourges of the sinner, but mercy shall encompass him that hopeth in the Lord.
Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye just, and glory, all ye right of heart.

Psalm 32 or Psalm 31?

The Douay-Rheims Bible follows the numbering of the Latin Vulgate and the Greek Septuagint, while most modern Bibles follow the Hebrew. So the Douay’s Psalm 31 is Psalm 32 in the New American Bible and other modern translations. In Latin the psalm begins Beati quorum remissae sunt iniquitates. See how many psalms are there?

St. Paul and Psalm 32

St. Paul quotes its opening words to show that forgiveness is God’s free gift:

Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.
Blessed is the man to whom the Lord hath not imputed sin.

What the psalm means

The blessing of forgiveness: true happiness belongs to those whose sins God has forgiven.
The weight of hidden sin: “day and night thy hand was heavy upon me.”
Confession brings freedom: “I have acknowledged my sin to thee, and my injustice I have not concealed.” This is the heart of the sacrament of Penance. See how to go to confession.
God’s guidance: “I will instruct thee in this way, in which thou shalt go: I will fix my eyes upon thee.”
Mercy surrounds the trusting: “mercy shall encompass him that hopeth in the Lord.”

How the Church uses Psalm 32

Among the seven penitential psalms, prayed in Lent and before confession. See the seven penitential psalms.
At Mass, for example on the Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year B), “I turn to you, Lord, in time of trouble, and you fill me with the joy of salvation,” and the Eleventh Sunday (Year C), “Lord, forgive the wrong I have done.”

A prayer with Psalm 32

Written for this page:

Lord, blessed is the one whose sins you forgive.
When I hide my sins, my strength fails; when I confess them, you set me free.
I acknowledge my sins to you; forgive me, and teach me the way I should go.
Surround me with your mercy, and give me the joy of a clean heart. Amen.

Frequently asked questions

What is Psalm 32 about?

The happiness of being forgiven, the burden of hiding sin, and the freedom that comes from confessing it to God.

Is Psalm 32 a penitential psalm?

Yes, it is the second of the seven penitential psalms.

More psalms and prayers

Texts and sources

Scripture: Psalm 31 (32); Romans 4:7–8, Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner), public domain.
The prayer was written for this page.