Psalm 32 1

Psalm 32:1 kjv

Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.

Psalm 32:1 nkjv

A Psalm of David. A Contemplation. Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered.

Psalm 32:1 niv

Of David. A maskil. Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.

Psalm 32:1 esv

Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.

Psalm 32:1 nlt

Oh, what joy for those
whose disobedience is forgiven,
whose sin is put out of sight!

Psalm 32 verses

Psalm 32 1 Meaning

Psalm 32:1 declares the profound blessing and inner happiness experienced by individuals whose rebellion against God and whose shortcomings are truly removed and covered by God's divine act. It points to a state of profound well-being that comes not from external circumstances, but from the grace of divine forgiveness and atonement. This verse highlights the complete relief and peace that are found when one's spiritual burden of sin is lifted.

Psalm 32 1 Context

Psalm 32 is a "Maskil," meaning an instructional or contemplative psalm, often understood as conveying wisdom. It is attributed to King David and is widely believed to be a reflection of his experience following his grievous sins of adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah (recorded in 2 Samuel 11-12) and his subsequent confession (Psalm 51). The psalm recounts the anguish of unconfessed sin, the liberation that comes with confession and divine forgiveness, and the resulting wisdom to live in reliance on God. Verse 1 serves as a profound beatitude, presenting the ultimate blessed state that is central to the psalm's teaching – a blessing rooted not in outward fortune, but in inner restoration through God's pardon.

Psalm 32 1 Word analysis

• Blessed (אֶשְׁרֵי, ashrei): This Hebrew term is in the plural form, suggesting a comprehensive, multi-faceted, and overflowing state of true happiness, well-being, and inner contentment. It implies not just superficial joy but a deep, lasting prosperity of the soul. This kind of blessing flows from one's relationship with God, distinguishing it from fleeting worldly pleasures.

• transgression (פֶּשַׁע, pesha): This word signifies a willful act of rebellion, a conscious breach of a covenant or agreement, or a deliberate revolt against authority, specifically God's commands. It implies an aggressive, audacious stepping over boundaries, often with premeditation.

• forgiven (נְשׂוּי, nãsûy): Derived from the root nasa (to lift, bear, carry), this word indicates that the transgression is literally "lifted up and carried away." It speaks of the complete removal of the burden and guilt of sin, implying God's active intervention to remove the charge against the individual.

• sin (חֲטָאָה, ḥaṭṭāʾâ): This term denotes "missing the mark" or "falling short" of God's standard. It encompasses both unintentional errors and moral failures, an inherent deviation from God's perfect way. It describes sin as a failure to meet God's requirements.

• covered (כְּסוּי, kᵉsûy): From the root kasah (to cover, conceal, clothe), this signifies an act of God whereby sin is veiled or blotted out from His sight, and thus from the judgment it merits. In the Old Testament context, it directly relates to the concept of atonement, where sin is covered, often by a sacrifice, so that God's justice is satisfied and His wrath averted.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "Blessed is the one whose...": This opening phrase sets a tone of deep congratulations and points to an extraordinary state of blessedness, not accessible to everyone but specifically for those who receive God's action. It's a declaration of supreme privilege.
  • "transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.": This parallel construction emphasizes the totality and completeness of divine pardon. The use of two different terms for sin (pesha and chattah) highlights that forgiveness extends to both deliberate rebellion and every form of moral failure or shortfall. The two distinct actions of "forgiven" (lifted away) and "covered" (blotted out) underscore the comprehensive nature of God's work in dealing with sin – removing its guilt, its record, and its penalty from the perspective of God's justice.

Psalm 32 1 Bonus section

The specific choice of the Hebrew passive voice for "forgiven" (נְשׂוּי, nãsûy) and "covered" (כְּסוּי, kᵉsûy) implicitly highlights that the subject of this powerful action is God Himself. It is not the individual who makes sin disappear, but God who acts on their behalf to lift away the burden and veil the stain of their transgression and sin. This reinforces the theological point that forgiveness is a divine prerogative and a gracious act of God's initiative. The parallel structure is a classic Hebrew literary device, emphasizing by repetition and slight variation the absolute and holistic nature of the blessing; it underscores that all forms of sin, whether intentional rebellion or unintentional failing, are comprehensively dealt with by God.

Psalm 32 1 Commentary

Psalm 32:1 stands as a declaration of profound spiritual beatitude, presenting a complete liberation from the burden of sin through divine action. The blessing described is not merely external fortune but a deep, settled internal happiness that results from being reconciled with God. It emphasizes two aspects of God's dealing with sin: pesha (rebellion, willful trespass) being "lifted away," and chattah (missing the mark, moral failing) being "covered." This comprehensive removal means the sin is no longer a barrier between the individual and God, nor is it a source of guilt and judgment. This is a foundational truth of salvation – that humanity's inability to undo sin is met by God's powerful and gracious act of complete forgiveness. Paul in Romans 4 uses this verse to underscore justification by faith, where God attributes righteousness to the believer, independent of works, simply by removing and covering their sins.