Song (Psalm) 32

Note: This is still a very early look into the unfinished text of the Open English Translation of the Bible. Please double-check the text in advance before using in public. Some things (like capitalisation of ‘him’ referring to Jesus or ‘father’ referring to God) in the RV haven’t been decided yet so we’re still testing both ways.

Note: The Readers’ Version on the left is a translation into contemporary English aimed at the person on the street who hasn’t necessarily been brought up with exposure to Biblical jargon and/or 500-year old English. It’s designed to be used alongside the Literal Version on the right which gives the English reader a window into what’s actually written in the original languages. (See the introduction for more details—we recommend that you read the introduction first if you’re wanting to fully understand the Literal Version.) By comparing the left and right columns, you should be able to easily get the message of the text, while at the same time keeping an eye on what it was actually translated from.

Note that greyed words in the RV are words that the translators consider were most probably in the mind of the writer, but as none of us can double-check with the original speakers or writers, the reader is free to disagree. They are clearly marked because we’ve tried to be as honest and transparent as possible.

The lighter coloured words in the LV are words which aren’t needed in the grammar of the original languages but are required or implied in English. You can read the Key to learn more about them. The underlines joining words in the LV show when one original language word needs to be translated into two or more English words. (Just hide them with the button if you don’t need that information and find it distracting.) Also, the majority of sentences in the LV don’t have the words put into a sensible English order yet. (This should be completed by the end of 2023.)

Readers’ Version

Literal Version

32:1 Admitting sin and requesting forgiveness

Confession and Forgiveness; The Joy of Forgiveness

A song[fn] by David.

A psalm of David.; Of David. A maskil.; Of David. A Maskil.; For David: a maskil

32 Blessed is the person whose transgression is forgiven,

≈whose ≈disobedience is covered.

2 Blessed is the person to whom Yahweh ≈calculates no guilt

≈and in whose spirit there’s no deceit.

3 When I remained silent,

my bones ≈ached inside

≈while I groaned all day long.

4 ≈You kept the pressure on me day and night.

My strength withered up like in a summer drought. (Instrumental break.)

5 Then I acknowledged my sin to you,

≈and I no longer hid my iniquity.

I said, “I’ll confess my transgressions to Yahweh,”

and you forgave the guilt of my sin. (Instrumental break.)

6 Every one of your faithful followers should pray to you at a time of great distress

so that when the surging waters overflow, the waters will not reach #them.

7 You’re my hiding place—you’ll guard me from trouble.

You surround me with victory songs. (Instrumental break.)

8 I’ll instruct you and teach you in the way that you should ≈follow.

I’ll instruct you and ≈keep my eye on you.

9 Don’t be like a horse or a mule which lacks understanding—

it’s only with a bridle and bit that they can be controlled

so they’ll go where you want them to.

10 The wicked have many sorrows,

but Yahweh’s loyal commitment will surround ≈anyone who trusts in him.

11 Be glad in Yahweh, and ≈celebrate, you righteous >people.

≈Shout for joy, all of you who are ≈honest on the inside.

↑ 32  Of_Dāvid a_poem\f + \fr 32:1 \ft Note: KJB: Ps.

32.

1\f* how_blessed is_one_who_is_forgiven_of transgression is_one_who_is_covered_of sin.

2 How_blessed is_a_person whom_not he_reckons YHWH to_him/it iniquity and_no in/on/at/with_spirit_of_whose deceit.

\f + \fr 32:2 \ft OSHB note: BHS has been faithful to the Leningrad Codex where there might be a question of the validity of the form and we keep the same form as BHS.

\f* 3 if/because I_kept_silent bones_of_my they_became_worn_out in/on/at/with_groaning_of_my all_of the_day.

4 If/because by_day and_night it_was_heavy upon_me hand_of_your strength_of_my it_was_changed in/on/at/with_heat_of summer Şelāh.

5 Sin_of_my acknowledged_you and_iniquity_of_my not I_covered I_said I_will_confess on transgressions_of_my to/for_YHWH and_you(ms) you_forgave the_guilt_of sin_of_my Şelāh.

6 On this every_of let_him_pray faithful_person to_you at_time_of finds certainly in_rush_of waters many to_him/it not they_will_reach.

7 You are_a_hiding_place to_me from_trouble preserve_me shouts_of deliverance surround_me Şelāh.

8 Instruct_you and_teach_you in/on/at/with_way which you_will_go I_will_give_counsel upon_you eye_of_my.

9 Do_not be like_horse like_mule which_there_is_not understanding in/on/at/with_bit and_bridle tackle_of_whose for_controlled not to_draw_near to_you.

10 Many pains of_the_wicked and_the_trusts in/on/at/with_LORD covenant_loyalty surrounds_him.

11 Rejoice in/on/at/with_LORD and_rejoice Oh_righteous_people and_shout_for_joy Oh_all_of people_upright_of heart.