ΨΑΛΜΟΙ ΛΑʹ
Reading 9 "Blessed is the man whose sins are forgiven"
Overview
The Greek Psalm 31 (32 in the Masoritic and Protestant traditions) can aptly be titled "The Blessing of Forgiveness." It is commonly classified as an individual psalm of thanksgiving. But some scholars classify this Psalm as a wisdom Psalm. The overall structure many be outlined as follows, demonstrating the chiastic relationship between the two principal Parts:
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(1) Wisdom (vv1-2)
(2) Thanksgiving (vv3-5) |
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A
B |
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| Part II |
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(1) Thanksgiving (vv6-8)
(2) Wisdom (vv9-10) |
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B′
A′ |
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| Conclusion |
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(v 11) |
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| From Word Biblical Commentary 19 by P. Craigie, p. 265, 2004 © Thomas Nelson Inc. |
In the early stages of Christianity, Psalms 32 was included among the seven penitential psalms. Psalm 32 was Augustine's favorite Psalm, he read if frequently before he died and had it inscribed on the wall by his sickbed.
The Psalm opens up with a line very similar to Psalm 1:1 'Blessed is the man...." It concludes with a mighty note of praise "Rejoice in the Lord.....!". (Craigie, WBC 19, pp.263 ff ad passim)
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Resources for Psalm 31 |
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Greek Texts
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Psalm 31 Rahlfs Text |
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(Parsing for each word available on the parsing table page or in inline when the mouse hovers over a word)
ψαλμός λαʹ (31)
31 1 Τῷ Δαυιδ· συνέσεως.
Μακάριοι ὧν ἀφέθησαν αἱ ἀνομίαι
καὶ ὧν ἐπεκαλύφθησαν αἱ ἁμαρτίαι·
2 μακάριος ἀνήρ, οὗ οὐ μὴ λογίσηται κύριος ἁμαρτίαν,
οὐδὲ ἔστιν ἐν τῷ στόματι αὐτοῦ δόλος.
3 ὅτι ἐσίγησα, ἐπαλαιώθη τὰ ὀστᾶ μου
ἀπὸ τοῦ κράζειν με ὅλην τὴν ἡμέραν·
4 ὅτι ἡμέρας καὶ νυκτὸς ἐβαρύνθη ἐπ᾽ ἐμὲ ἡ χείρ σου,
ἐστράφην εἰς ταλαιπωρίαν ἐν τῷ ἐμπαγῆναι ἄκανθαν.
διάψαλμα.
5 τὴν ἁμαρτίαν μου ἐγνώρισα
καὶ τὴν ἀνομίαν μου οὐκ ἐκάλυψα·
εἶπα ᾿Εξαγορεύσω κατ᾽ ἐμοῦ τὴν ἀνομίαν μου τῷ κυρίῳ·
καὶ σὺ ἀφῆκας τὴν ἀσέβειαν τῆς ἁμαρτίας μου.
διάψαλμα.
6 ὑπὲρ ταύτης προσεύξεται πᾶς ὅσιος πρὸς σὲ ἐν καιρῷ εὐθέτῳ·
πλὴν ἐν κατακλυσμῷ ὑδάτων πολλῶν πρὸς αὐτὸν οὐκ ἐγγιοῦσιν.
7 σύ μου εἶ καταφυγὴ ἀπὸ θλίψεως τῆς περιεχούσης με·
τὸ ἀγαλλίαμά μου, λύτρωσαί με ἀπὸ τῶν κυκλωσάντων με.
διάψαλμα.
8 συνετιῶ σε καὶ συμβιβῶ σε ἐν ὁδῷ ταύτῃ, ᾗ πορεύσῃ,
ἐπιστηριῶ ἐπὶ σὲ τοὺς ὀφθαλμούς μου.
9 μὴ γίνεσθε ὡς ἵππος καὶ ἡμίονος, οἷς οὐκ ἔστιν σύνεσις,
ἐν χαλινῷ καὶ κημῷ τὰς σιαγόνας αὐτῶν ἄγξαι
τῶν μὴ ἐγγιζόντων πρὸς σέ.
10 πολλαὶ αἱ μάστιγες τοῦ ἁμαρτωλοῦ,
τὸν δὲ ἐλπίζοντα ἐπὶ κύριον ἔλεος κυκλώσει.
11 εὐφράνθητε ἐπὶ κύριον καὶ ἀγαλλιᾶσθε, δίκαιοι,
καὶ καυχᾶσθε, πάντες οἱ εὐθεῖς τῇ καρδίᾳ.
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Greek text is from Alfred Rahlfs' Septuaginta, © 1935 Deutche Bibelstiftung, Stuttgart. Parsings provided the the CCAT project at the University of Pennsylvania. Read other Psalms online at www.bibelwissenschaft.de |
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Modern Greek
| Ψαλμὸς ΛΑʹ |
1.<<Ψαλμος του Δαβιδ. Μασχιλ.>> Μακαριος εκεινος, του οποιου συνεχωρηθη η παραβασις, του οποιου εσκεπασθη η αμαρτια.
2. Μακαριος ο ανθρωπος, εις τον οποιον ο Κυριος δεν λογαριαζει ανομιαν και εις του οποιου το πνευμα δεν υπαρχει δολος.
3. Οτε απεσιωπησα, επαλαιωθησαν τα οστα μου εκ του ολολυγμου μου ολην την ημεραν.
4. Επειδη ημεραν και νυκτα εβαρυνθη η χειρ σου επ' εμε· η υγροτης μου μετεβληθη εις θερινην ξηρασιαν. Διαψαλμα.
5. Την αμαρτιαν μου εφανερωσα προς σε, και την ανομιαν μου δεν εκρυψα· ειπα, Εις τον Κυριον θελω εξομολογηθη τας παραβασεις μου· και συ συνεχωρησας την ανομιαν της αμαρτιας μου. Διαψαλμα.
6. Δια τουτο πας οσιος θελει προσευχεσθαι προς σε εν καιρω προσηκοντι· βεβαιως εν κατακλυσμω πολλων υδατων ταυτα δεν θελουσιν εγγιζει εις αυτον.
7. Συ εισαι η σκεπη μου· θελεις με φυλαττει απο θλιψεως· αγαλλιασιν λυτρωσεως θελεις με περικυκλονει. Διαψαλμα.
8. Εγω θελω σε συνετισει και θελω σε διδαξει την οδον, εις την οποιαν πρεπει να περιπατης· θελω σε συμβουλευει· επι σε θελει εισθαι ο οφθαλμος μου.
9. Μη γινεσθε ως ιππος, ως ημιονος, εις τα οποια δεν υπαρχει συνεσις· των οποιων το στομα πρεπει να κρατηται εν κημω και χαλινω, αλλως δεν ηθελον πλησιαζει εις σε.
10. Πολλαι αι μαστιγες του ασεβους· τον δε ελπιζοντα επι Κυριον ελεος θελει περικυκλωσει.
11. Ευφραινεσθε εις τον Κυριον και αγαλλεσθε, δικαιοι· και αλαλαξατε, παντες οι ευθεις την καρδιαν. |
Vocabulary and Parsing Aids
Versification Issues
The chapter number of LXX Psalm 31 is different in the Greek and Latin than in the traditional Protestant English, Hebrew and Modern Greek texts which number this as Psalm 32. The reason is that the Greek counts Psalm 9 and 10 as a single psalm, which changes the numbering for Psalms beginning with Psalm 10. See the Wikipedia article on the Psalms for further information. The verse numbering is also different between the three versions for verse 1, where the Protestant versions do not include the title as verse 1. The Greek and Latin count the title/epithet as part of verse 1. The verse numbering for the rest of LXX Psalm 31(MT 32) is identical in all versions. The NETS translation shows both numberings.
Brenton and Mozley use the traditional Protestant chapter numbering Psalm 32.
Hebrew Aids
Latin Translations
Interlinears
Audio
- Restored Koine (if you want to save it, right-click and select 'Save as')
- Byzantine Chant
- Hymns sung by Greek Monks
Songs based on Psalm 32 (LXX Psalm 31)
Psalm 32
6-11 Therefore let all who are faithful offer prayer to you; at a time of distress, the rush of mighty waters shall not reach them. You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with glad cries of deliverance. I will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will counsel you with my eye upon you. Do not be like a horse or a mule, without understanding, whose temper must be curbed with bit and bridle, else it will not stay near you. Many are the torments of the wicked, but steadfast love surrounds those who trust in the LORD. Be glad in the LORD and rejoice, O righteous, and shout for joy, all you upright in heart.
| sources |
songs |
writers |
| Vineyard/P&W 657/SCE 436/SOF 475 |
Refiner's Fire |
Doerksen |
| P&W 280/SIS 41/SCE 123/ATN 31/SOF 129 |
Freely, freely |
Owens |
| SCE 554 |
We rejoice in the goodness of our God |
Owen |
| DMAC/AOVK 122 kids! |
Sorry |
music lyrics |
| SCE 297/SIS 318/SOF 305 |
Jesus take me as I am |
Bryant |
| Vineyard/SCE[2] 1080/SIS 673/TIS 754/P&W 522/SOF 625 |
You are my hiding place |
Ledner |
| HS/P&W 815/SCE 17 |
All things are possible |
Zschech |
| SIS 621 kid-friendly |
Shout for joy! |
Pink |
| Psalms of patience, protest & praise [Wild Goose] /TIS/ATO/AOV[2] 39 |
Sing to God with joy & gladness |
Bell |
| NCYC 1993/"Grandma rides a harley" collection kid-friendly kid-friendly |
Sorry, Lord |
Newton |
| HS/SCE 221/ATW 470 |
In your hands (I'm so secure) |
Morgan |
| HS/SCE 290/P&W 681 |
Jesus, lover of my soul |
Grul/Ezzy/McPherson |
| DMAC |
Shouts of joy! |
music lyrics |
| Taken from Together to Celebrate: Contemporary Christian Music resources for Worship |
Also see Textweek.com on Psalm 32 under the section Hymns
Images from Psalters
Still Looking for images of Psalm 31 in particular; send me a note, if you have access to any.
For a list of Psalters see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Psalter . Also look under the "Book of Hours" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_hours. Most of these medieval manuscripts are in Latin. I'm sure there must be some in Greek also. Many are on the Psalms of Degrees (119-133 in the Septuagint, also called Song of Ascents) or Penitential Psalms (6, 31, 37, 50, 101, 129, and 142 in the Septuagint numbering). The Psalms we are reading are Psalms 1, 8, 19(18), 21(22), 22(23), 23(24), 26(27), 31(32), 33(34), and 50(51).
The British Library has many images of the Psalms and Psalters. There are 73 images of pages of "Illuminated" Psalms and Prayer books. Finding images of a specific Psalm is not as easy as on would first think. There are many images of Psalm 1, Psalm 6, Psalm 51(50), and others, but not many for the Psalms we are reading. The British Library files can be found at
http://www.imagesonline.bl.uk/results.asp
http://www.imagesonline.bl.uk/results.asp?cat=RELICHR
Luttrell Psalter: http://www.bl.uk/collections/treasures/luttrell/luttrell_broadband.htm
The recently discovered and published Macclesfield Psalter can be found at the Fitzwilliam Museum.
Macclesfield Psalter: http://www.fitzmuseum.cam.ac.uk/gallery/macclesfield/gallery/
Special Bibliography
Aides
- Carry-along index card of text
- Carry-along index card with vocabulary
Byzantine and Greek Orthodox Resources
Still Looking, send me a note, if you have access to any.
English Translations
(English translations are provided using appropriate copywrite permissions and allowances. They are provided so you can "check" your translation; If you are truly interested in learning Greek, you will refer to them after you have done your translation).
NETS (New English Translation of the LXX - a more literal rendering)
EOB (Eastern Orthodox Bible)
Brenton's 1859 Translation
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NETS Psalm 31 |
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Psalm 31(32)
1 Pertaining to Dauid. Of understanding.
(1) Happy are those whose lawless behavior was forgiven
and whose sins were covered over.
2 Happy the man whose sin the Lord will not reckon,
and in his mouth there is no deceit.
3 Because I kept silence, my bones grew old
from my crying all day long.
4 Because day and night your hand was heavy upon me,
I was turned to wretchedness when a thorn was stuck in me.
Interlude on strings
5 My sin I made known,
and my lawlessness I did not cover;
I said, “I will declare to the Lord, against myself, my lawlessness,”
and you, you forgave the impiety of my
sin.
Interlude on strings
6 Over this, every devout
shall pray to you at an appropriate time,
but at a flood of many waters,
these will not reach him.
7 You are my refuge from affliction that besets me—
my enjoyment, redeem me from those that encircle me!
Interlude on strings
8 I will instruct you and teach you in this way
in which you should go;
I will fix my eyes upon you.
9 Do not be like horse and mule, who have no understanding;
with bridle and muzzle squeeze their jaws
when they do not come near to you.
10 Many are the scourges of the sinner,
but mercy will surround him that hopes in the Lord.
11 Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice,
O righteous,
and boast, all you upright in heart. |
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(New English Translation of the Septuagint © 2007 - International Organization for the Septuagint and Cognate Studies - published by Oxford University Press. Buy from Amazon - or use the CCAT-SAS-UPENN online access. The NETS is one of the most valuable LXX English book next to Lust's lexicon of the Septuagint because the English matches Rahlfs Greek text (almost always). Buy the NETS if you can.) http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/nets/edition/24-psalms-nets.pdf |
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Brenton's 1859 Translation
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Psalm 31 |
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(Brenton uses the traditional Protestant numbering of Psalm 32; The Greek and Catholic/Latin numbering number this as Psalm 31)
A Psalm of instruction by David.
32:1 Blessed are they whose transgressions are forgiven, and who sins are covered. 2 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin, and 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 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 encompasses 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; 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 hopes 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. |
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From the translation by Sir Lancelot C. L. Brenton, 1859. Courtesy of E.C. Marsh |
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The Eastern / Greek Orthodox Bible
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Psalm 31 MT =32 LXX
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32 MT = 31 LXX
A Psalm of instruction by David
32:1 Blessed are those whose transgressions are forgiven,
and who sins are covered.
2 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord will not impute sin,
and whose mouth there is no guile.
3 Because I kept silence, my bones have become old,
from my crying all the day.
4 For day and night your hand was heavy upon me:
I became thoroughly miserable while a thorn was fastened in me.
5 I acknowledged my sin and hid not my iniquity:
I said: I will confess my iniquity to the Lord against myself;
and you forgave the ungodliness of my heart.
6 Therefore shall every holy one pray to you in a fitting time:
only in the flood of many waters they shall not come near to him.
7 You are my refuge from the affliction that encompasses me;
my joy, to deliver me from those who have surrounded me.
8 I will instruct you and guide you
in this way by which you shall go:
I will fix my eyes upon you.
9 Be not as horse and mule, which have no understanding;
but you must constrain their jaws with bit and curb,
for fear that they should come near to you.
10 Many are the scourges of the sinner:
but mercy shall protect whoever hopes in the Lord.
11 Be glad in the Lord and exult, you righteous:
and glory, all you that are upright in heart.
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The Eastern Orthodox Bible (Psalms translated by Peter Papoutsis(?)) used with permission . |
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Template for sending in Translations
The template for Psalm 31 is as follows --(You do not need to delete any of the lines beginning with the pound sign (#) as the collation software ignores those lines. Make sure to replace XXX with your initials followed by your translation):
Reading 9 Template: Psalms 31 (Entire Psalm) Due June 20 2009 Midnight CST (=8:00 A.M. Sunday, June 21 GMT)
Notes on the Greek Text
Notes are on a separate page. When published, they can be found at the link location.
Psalm 31 Reading Notes
A Greek-English Lexicon of the Septuagint by T. Muraoka (2009)
