The Seven Penitential Psalms

[Stone]

Psalm 31

David experiences the happiness felt by a soul whose sins have been forgiven her by God; 

he expresses his feelings, by comparing himself to a sick man, who was at the point of death, and is restored to health.

Beati quorum remissae sunt iniquitates, et quorum tecta sunt peccata. Beatus vir cui non imputavit Dominus peccatum, nec est in spiritu ejus dolus. Quoniam tacui, inveteraverunt ossa mea, dum clamarem tota die. Quoniam die ac nocte gravata est super me manus tua; conversus sum in aerumna mea, dum configitur spina. Delictum meum cognitum tibi feci, et injustitiam meam non abscondi. Dixi : Confitebor adversum me injustitiam meam Domino; et tu remisisti impietatem peccati mei. Pro hac orabit ad te omnis sanctus in tempore opportuno. Verumtamen in diluvio aquarum multarum, ad eum non approximabunt. Tu es refugium meum a tribulatione quae circumdedit me; exsultatio mea, erue me a circumdantibus me. Intellectum tibi dabo, et instruam te in via hac qua gradieris; firmabo super te oculos meos. Nolite fieri sicut equus et mulus, quibus non est intellectus. In camo et freno maxillas eorum constringe, qui non approximant ad te. Multa flagella peccatoris; sperantem autem in Domino misericordia circumdabit. Laetamini in Domino, et exsultate, justi; et gloriamini, omnes recti corde. 

Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom the Lord hath not imputed sin, and in whose spirit there is no guile. Because I was silent my bones grew old; whilst I cried out all the day long. For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: I am turned in my anguish, whilst the thorn is fastened. I have acknowledged my sin to thee, and my injustice I have not concealed. I said I will confess against myself my injustice to the Lord: and thou hast forgiven the wickedness of my sin. For this shall every one that is holy pray to thee in a seasonable time. And yet in a flood of many waters, they shall not come nigh unto him. Thou art my refuge from the trouble which hath encompassed me: my joy, deliver me from them that surround me. I will give thee understanding, and I will instruct thee in this way, in which thou shalt go: I will fix my eyes upon thee. Do not become like the horse and the mule, who have no understanding. With bit and bridle bind fast their jaws, who come not near unto thee. Many are the scourges of the sinner, but mercy shall encompass him that hopeth in the Lord. Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye just, and glory, all ye right of heart.