Psalm 32 6

Psalm 32:6 kjv

For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him.

Psalm 32:6 nkjv

For this cause everyone who is godly shall pray to You In a time when You may be found; Surely in a flood of great waters They shall not come near him.

Psalm 32:6 niv

Therefore let all the faithful pray to you while you may be found; surely the rising of the mighty waters will not reach them.

Psalm 32:6 esv

Therefore let everyone who is godly offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found; surely in the rush of great waters, they shall not reach him.

Psalm 32:6 nlt

Therefore, let all the godly pray to you while there is still time,
that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgment.

Psalm 32 verses

Psalm 32 6 Meaning

Psalm 32:6 expresses a call to all those who are faithful and godly to seek the Lord in prayer while He is accessible, or while the time of grace and opportunity is present. The verse emphasizes that genuine and timely prayer and turning to God will ensure protection from overwhelming dangers, symbolically referred to as a "flood of great waters," which represent severe troubles, calamities, or divine judgment that cannot affect the righteous. It serves as an invitation to proactive repentance and seeking divine refuge based on the psalmist's own experience of God's forgiveness and restoration.

Psalm 32 6 Context

Psalm 32 is a "maskil," meaning a psalm of instruction or insight, and it chronicles King David's personal journey from the torment of unconfessed sin to the blessedness of God's forgiveness. Verses 3-4 vividly describe the physical and spiritual distress David experienced when he suppressed his guilt. Verse 5 then marks the pivotal turning point, where he confesses his sin to God and immediately receives forgiveness, leading to immense relief and joy. Against this backdrop of personal revelation and blessedness, verse 6 shifts to a broader application, urging "everyone who is godly" to learn from David's experience. It's a call to proactive and timely confession and prayer, ensuring protection from life's overwhelming tribulations. The psalm contrasts the stability and protection afforded to the righteous with the instability and sorrows destined for the wicked (v. 10), culminating in a call for the righteous to rejoice in the Lord (v. 11).

Psalm 32 6 Word analysis

• Therefore (עַל־זֹאת, ‘al-zō’t): This conjunctive phrase means "for this reason" or "on account of this." It links the public call in verse 6 directly to the personal, transformative experience of David described in the preceding verses (especially v. 5), where he confessed his sin and received immediate forgiveness. It signifies that what follows is a universal lesson drawn from a specific, potent encounter with divine grace.
• Let everyone (כָּל־חָסִיד, kol-ḥāsîḏ): Kol means "all" or "every." Ḥāsîḏ (singular) refers to one who is "godly," "pious," "devout," "saintly," or characterized by ḥesed (covenant faithfulness, steadfast love). It describes an individual committed to a relationship with God, actively pursuing righteousness and holiness. This term signifies that the instruction is for those who genuinely seek to live in conformity to God's will and are loyal to His covenant. It extends the blessing of forgiveness beyond David to all who emulate his faith and repentance.
• Offer prayer (יִתְפַּלֵּל אֵלֶיךָ, yiṯpallēl ’ēleykā): Yitpallēl is a jussive form of pālal, meaning "to pray," "to intercede," or "to judge oneself." It implies an active and humble approach to God, seeking His mercy and intervention. The addition of ’ēleykā ("to You," referring directly to God) emphasizes the personal, direct, and reverent nature of this communion, underscoring that prayer is a direct address to the Sovereign.
• At a time (לְעֵת, lə‘êṯ): This denotes "at the time of" or "in due season." It highlights the importance of the appropriate moment for prayer and seeking God, suggesting that timing is crucial for optimal results.
• When you may be found (מְצֹא־מָצוֹא, məṣō’-māṣō’): This is a key phrase. It's a construct infinitive ("finding") followed by an absolute infinitive ("being found"), a Hebrew idiom emphasizing certainty or intensity. It speaks of a period when God is graciously available and approachable for those who seek Him sincerely. It implies an opportune window of grace, during which repentance and reconciliation are possible. This also subtly suggests there might be times when He is not found (e.g., when His judgment is fully set, or when hearts are irrevocably hardened), thus underscoring the urgency of the present moment. It refers to the accessibility of God to those who truly repent and turn to Him.
• Surely in a flood of great waters (שֶׁטֶף מַיִם רַבִּים, šeṭef mayim rabbîm): Šeṭef signifies "an overflow," "a torrent," "a deluge." Mayim rabbîm means "many waters" or "great waters." This is a powerful metaphor throughout the Old Testament, representing overwhelming disasters, crushing tribulations, grave dangers, hostile forces, or even divine judgment (as seen in the Noahic flood or the crossing of the Red Sea). The imagery conveys forces that are typically destructive and unavoidable by human strength alone.
• They shall not reach him (אֵלָיו לֹא יַגִּיעוּ, ’ēlāw lō’ yaggî‘û): Lō’ yaggî‘û means "they will not come near" or "they will not touch/overtake." This is the promised assurance to the godly who seek God. Despite the intensity and magnitude of the "great waters," these destructive forces will not engulf or harm the one who is safely ensconced in God's grace and protection. It conveys divine safeguarding and deliverance from total ruin, ensuring survival or rescue in times of extreme peril.

Words-group analysis:

• "Therefore let everyone who is godly offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found": This opening exhortation establishes a profound theological principle: God's availability for relationship is tied to human initiative during a window of grace. David's individual experience (vv. 3-5) is presented as a paradigm for all faithful people. The "godly" (ḥāsîḏ) are not perfect, but those who strive for right relationship with God and respond to His overtures. The phrase "when you may be found" signifies not a hidden God, but an accessible God, implying that there is an opportune period of time before a final closing of doors (e.g., judgment). It is a divine invitation to act promptly in seeking forgiveness and fellowship.
• "Surely in a flood of great waters, they shall not reach him": This declarative statement provides the promise of divine protection as a direct consequence of the timely seeking of God. The "flood of great waters" is a potent symbol of overwhelming calamities—whether personal disasters, societal upheaval, war, persecution, or even divine judgment upon the unrepentant. The promise is that such cataclysmic forces, though they rage, will not overwhelm or destroy the individual who has sought refuge in God. This doesn't mean life will be trouble-free, but that the ultimate destruction or separation from God will not befall the godly. It underscores God's sovereign control over even the most chaotic elements.

Psalm 32 6 Bonus section

The Hebrew word for "godly," ḥāsîḏ, is central. It comes from the root ḥeseḏ, which means steadfast love, loyalty, or covenant faithfulness. Thus, the "godly" person is not necessarily perfect, but one who demonstrates faithful love toward God, exhibiting devotion and righteousness that flows from a right relationship. This loyalty makes them responsive to God's invitations for repentance and seeking Him.

The phrase "at a time when You may be found" carries a subtle but significant polemical undertone against ancient Near Eastern cults that might suggest a capricious deity, or one hidden and inaccessible, requiring complex rituals or intermediaries. In contrast, the God of Israel is presented as deliberately making Himself available and approachable, requiring only a humble, timely response from His people. It implicitly criticizes any belief system that denies the Lord's active involvement and accessibility to His creation, particularly for redemption.

This verse emphasizes the present opportunity of salvation. It echoes themes found in other prophetic warnings against hardening one's heart (cf. Ps 95:7-8, Heb 3:7-8). The time "when you may be found" is primarily the time of this earthly life, before the final judgment. It suggests a time of spiritual responsiveness, where God's Spirit is moving, calling, and revealing truth. The blessing of protection from the "flood of great waters" implies that seeking God ensures spiritual security, preventing the ultimate ruin or condemnation that befalls those who ignore His invitation or delay their repentance indefinitely.

Psalm 32 6 Commentary

Psalm 32:6 stands as a compelling summary and application of David's personal journey to forgiveness, transforming his private blessedness into a public appeal. Having experienced the liberating relief of confession and God's immediate grace, David compels "everyone who is godly" to embrace this same path. The crucial element is seeking God "at a time when He may be found." This refers to the opportune period of God's revealed accessibility, a season of grace where His mercy is readily available to those who turn to Him. It's an urgent call not to procrastinate on repentance or prayer, as such windows of divine invitation might close. The promise that follows – protection from a "flood of great waters" – is a powerful metaphor for life's most severe and overwhelming dangers or judgments. Just as a physical flood can be unstoppable, these "waters" represent spiritual, emotional, or external tribulations that threaten to overwhelm. Yet, for those who timely humble themselves, confess, and seek the Lord, divine refuge is guaranteed. They will not be consumed; rather, they will be preserved, underscoring God's steadfast protection over His faithful ones.

Examples:

• Personal Application: A person burdened by unconfessed sin finds freedom by repenting promptly instead of waiting for guilt to accumulate, thus avoiding the overwhelming emotional 'flood.'
• Responding to Grace: Heeding an immediate spiritual conviction or 'call' to deeper faith, rather than deferring it, and experiencing divine support through a sudden crisis.
• Proactive Prayer: Praying and preparing for difficulties before they become insurmountable, leveraging God's immediate presence.