Limitless Word
Of David. A Maskil. Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.
Psalms 32:1 · Berean Standard Bible
Parallel translations
  • WEB By David. A contemplative psalm. Blessed is he whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
  • KJV Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
  • NKJV Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, Whose sin is covered.
  • NASB How blessed is he whose wrongdoing is forgiven, Whose sin is covered!
  • NLT Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight!

Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Quick answer

Blessed is the one whose transgression is forgiven and whose sin is covered. It pronounces the happiness of the forgiven sinner.

Overview

This penitential psalm opens by declaring the true blessedness of having sin forgiven and covered by God. Paul cites this verse in Romans to illustrate justification apart from works. The covering of sin points to the atonement, fully accomplished in Christ, whose righteousness covers all who believe.

Cross-references & the web

Cross-references · 25

  • Rom 4:6–8And David speaks likewise of the blessedness of the man to whom God credits righteousness apart from works:
  • Isa 44:22I have blotted out your transgressions like a cloud, and your sins like a mist. Return to Me, for I have redeemed you.
  • Ps 85:2You forgave the iniquity of Your people; You covered all their sin. Selah
  • Acts 13:38–39Therefore let it be known to you, brothers, that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you.
  • Isa 43:25I, yes I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake and remembers your sins no more.
  • Mic 7:18–19Who is a God like You, who pardons iniquity and passes over the transgression of the remnant of His inheritance—who does not retain His anger forever, because He delights in loving devotion?
  • Rev 22:14Blessed are those who wash their robes, so that they may have the right to the tree of life and may enter the city by its gates.
  • Isa 1:18“Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are as red as crimson, they will become like wool.
  • Jer 17:7–8But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him.
  • Ps 40:4Blessed is the man who has made the LORD his trust, who has not turned to the proud, nor to those who lapse into falsehood.
  • Matt 5:3–12“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
  • Ps 119:1–2Blessed are those whose way is blameless, who walk in the Law of the LORD.
  • Ps 106:3Blessed are those who uphold justice, who practice righteousness at all times.
  • Luke 11:28But He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”
  • Ps 1:1–2Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or set foot on the path of sinners, or sit in the seat of mockers.
  • Ps 53:1For the choirmaster. According to Mahalath. A Maskil of David. The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt; their ways are vile. There is no one who does good.
  • Ps 42:1For the choirmaster. A Maskil of the sons of Korah. As the deer pants for streams of water, so my soul longs after You, O God.
  • Matt 16:17Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah! For this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by My Father in heaven.
  • Ps 128:1A song of ascents. Blessed are all who fear the LORD, who walk in His ways!
  • Ps 89:15Blessed are those who know the joyful sound, who walk, O LORD, in the light of Your presence.
  • Ps 84:12O LORD of Hosts, how blessed is the man who trusts in You!
  • Ps 45:1For the choirmaster. To the tune of “The Lilies.” A Maskil of the sons of Korah. A love song. My heart is stirred by a noble theme as I recite my verses to the king; my tongue is the pen of a skillful writer.
  • Ps 52:1For the choirmaster. A Maskil of David. After Doeg the Edomite went to Saul and told him, “David has gone to the house of Ahimelech.” Why do you boast of evil, O mighty man? The loving devotion of God endures all day long.
  • Neh 4:5Do not cover up their iniquity or let their sin be blotted out from Your sight, for they have provoked the builders.
  • Ps 55:1For the choirmaster. With stringed instruments. A Maskil of David. Listen to my prayer, O God, and do not ignore my plea.

Themes, concepts, people & topics

Topics (2)

Resources, by level

Commentaries & study tools

  • VideoBibleProject — Psalms videosBibleProject · Lay · Free · evangelical

    Free animated overview and word-study videos for this book.

  • VideoWatch teaching on Psalms 32:1YouTube · Lay · Free

    Sermons and teaching on this passage from across YouTube.

  • CommentaryEnduring Word — verse-by-verseDavid Guzik · Lay · Free · evangelical

    Clear, readable, conservative exposition — the best free place to start on any passage.

  • CommentaryClassic commentaries for this verseBibleHub (20+ works) · Pastoral · Free

    Matthew Henry, Barnes, Gill, the Pulpit Commentary, Ellicott, Cambridge, and more — stacked on one page for this exact verse.

  • CommentaryMatthew Henry on PsalmsMatthew Henry · Pastoral · Free · evangelical

    The beloved Puritan exposition of this whole book — warm, devotional, and verse by verse (free, CCEL).

  • ReferenceInterlinear, lexicon & Strong'sBlue Letter Bible · Seminary · Free

    Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.

Christ at the center

The Psalms are Christ's own prayer book and a gallery of his portraits — the suffering one of Psalm 22, the risen Lord of Psalm 16, the priest-king of Psalm 110, the Son to whom the nations are given.

How Psalms 32:1 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.

Original language

Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.