Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
Parallel translations
- WEB By David. A contemplative psalm. Blessed is he whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is covered.
- BSB Of David. A Maskil. Blessed is he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are 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 4:6–8Even as David also describeth the blessedness of the man, unto whom God imputeth righteousness without works,
- Isa 44:22I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins: return unto me; for I have redeemed thee.
- Ps 85:2Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people, thou hast covered all their sin. Selah.
- Acts 13:38–39Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins:
- Isa 43:25I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins.
- Mic 7:18–19Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy.
- Rev 22:14Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.
- Isa 1:18Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.
- Jer 17:7–8Blessed is the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is.
- Ps 40:4Blessed is that man that maketh the LORD his trust, and respecteth not the proud, nor such as turn aside to lies.
- Matt 5:3–12Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
- Ps 119:1–2Blessed are the undefiled in the way, who walk in the law of the LORD.
- Ps 106:3Blessed are they that keep judgment, and he that doeth righteousness at all times.
- Luke 11:28But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.
- Ps 1:1–2Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
- Ps 53:1The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God. Corrupt are they, and have done abominable iniquity: there is none that doeth good.
- Ps 42:1As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.
- Matt 16:17And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.
- Ps 128:1Blessed is every one that feareth the LORD; that walketh in his ways.
- Ps 89:15Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O LORD, in the light of thy countenance.
- Ps 84:12O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.
- Ps 45:1My heart is inditing a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made touching the king: my tongue is the pen of a ready writer.
- Ps 52:1Why boastest thou thyself in mischief, O mighty man? the goodness of God endureth continually.
- Neh 4:5And cover not their iniquity, and let not their sin be blotted out from before thee: for they have provoked thee to anger before the builders.
- Ps 55:1Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not thyself from my supplication.
Themes, concepts, people & topics
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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.