Psalm 31

¹ ^[1]A Psalm of instruction ^[2]by David.

Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven,

and whose sins are covered.

² Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin,

and in whose mouth there is no guile.

³ Because I kept silence, my bones waxed old,

from my crying all the day.

⁴ For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me:

I became thoroughly miserable while a ^[3]thorn was fastened in me.

Pause.

⁵ I acknowledged my sin,

and hid not mine iniquity:

I said, I will confess mine iniquity to the Lord against myself;

and thou forgavest the ungodliness of my heart.

Pause.

⁶ Therefore shall every holy one pray to thee in a fit time:

only in the deluge of many waters they shall not come nigh to him.

⁷ Thou art my refuge from the affliction that encompasseth me;

my joy, to deliver me from them that have compassed me.

Pause.

⁸ I will instruct thee and guide thee in this way wherein thou shalt go:

I will fix mine eyes upon thee.

⁹ Be ye not as horse and mule, which have no understanding:

^[4]but thou must constrain their jaws with bit and curb,

lest they should come nigh to thee.

¹⁰ Many are the scourges of the sinner:

but him that hopeth in the Lord mercy shall compass about.

¹¹ Be glad in the Lord, and exult, ye righteous:

and glory, all ye that are upright in heart.

Notes