Psalm 32

The Joy of Being Forgiven

A psalm*32: title Hebrew maskil. This may be a literary or musical term. of David.

1Oh, what joy for those

whose disobedience is forgiven,

whose sin is put out of sight!

2Yes, what joy for those

whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt,*32:2 Greek version reads of sin. Compare Rom 4:8.

whose lives are lived in complete honesty!

3When I refused to confess my sin,

my body wasted away,

and I groaned all day long.

4Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me.

My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat.

Interlude

5Finally, I confessed all my sins to you

and stopped trying to hide my guilt.

I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.”

And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.

Interlude

6Therefore, let all the godly pray to you while there is still time,

that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgment.

7For you are my hiding place;

you protect me from trouble.

You surround me with songs of victory.

Interlude

8The Lord says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life.

I will advise you and watch over you.

9Do not be like a senseless horse or mule

that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control.”

10Many sorrows come to the wicked,

but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the Lord.

11So rejoice in the Lord and be glad, all you who obey him!

Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure!

Psalm 53

No One Does Good

For the choir director: A meditation; a psalm*53: title Hebrew According to mahalath; a maskil. These may be literary or musical terms. of David.

1Only fools say in their hearts,

“There is no God.”

They are corrupt, and their actions are evil;

not one of them does good!

2God looks down from heaven

on the entire human race;

he looks to see if anyone is truly wise,

if anyone seeks God.

3But no, all have turned away;

all have become corrupt.*53:3 Greek version reads have become useless. Compare Rom 3:12.

No one does good,

not a single one!

4Will those who do evil never learn?

They eat up my people like bread

and wouldn’t think of praying to God.

5Terror will grip them,

terror like they have never known before.

God will scatter the bones of your enemies.

You will put them to shame, for God has rejected them.

6Who will come from Mount Zion to rescue Israel?

When God restores his people,

Jacob will shout with joy, and Israel will rejoice.

Psalm 79

A Lament over Conquered Jerusalem

A psalm of Asaph.

1O God, pagan nations have conquered your land,

your special possession.

They have defiled your holy Temple

and made Jerusalem a heap of ruins.

2They have left the bodies of your servants

as food for the birds of heaven.

The flesh of your godly ones

has become food for the wild animals.

3Blood has flowed like water all around Jerusalem;

no one is left to bury the dead.

4We are mocked by our neighbors,

an object of scorn and derision to those around us.

5O Lord, how long will you be angry with us? Forever?

How long will your jealousy burn like fire?

6Pour out your wrath on the nations that refuse to acknowledge you—

on kingdoms that do not call upon your name.

7For they have devoured your people Israel,*79:7 Hebrew devoured Jacob. See note on 44:4.

making the land a desolate wilderness.

8Do not hold us guilty for the sins of our ancestors!

Let your compassion quickly meet our needs,

for we are on the brink of despair.

9Help us, O God of our salvation!

Help us for the glory of your name.

Save us and forgive our sins

for the honor of your name.

10Why should pagan nations be allowed to scoff,

asking, “Where is their God?”

Show us your vengeance against the nations,

for they have spilled the blood of your servants.

11Listen to the moaning of the prisoners.

Demonstrate your great power by saving those condemned to die.

12O Lord, pay back our neighbors seven times

for the scorn they have hurled at you.

13Then we your people, the sheep of your pasture,

will thank you forever and ever,

praising your greatness from generation to generation.