Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven,
and whose sins are covered.
Blessed is the man to whom the Lord harth 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 my self 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:
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.Glory be the the Father…
Glory be the the Father…
The legacy of Psalm 31 (The Second Penitential Psalm)
Psalm 31 is also known as the Second Penitential Psalm and is a prayer that is commonly used in the Catholic church as a way of expressing sorrow for one’s sins and seeking forgiveness from God.
The psalm is attributed to King David and is believed to have been written during a time of great distress in his life. In the psalm, David cries out to God for help and seeks refuge in Him.
Over time, Psalm 31 became part of the Catholic tradition and was included in the Penitential Psalms, a group of psalms used for confession and repentance.
The Second Penitential Psalm is often used during the season of Lent as a way of reflecting on one’s sins and seeking spiritual renewal.
Psalm 31 is also sometimes used during the Sacrament of Reconciliation, when Catholics confess their sins to a priest and seek absolution from God.
Overall, Psalm 31 is a prayer of hope and trust in God’s mercy, even in the midst of sin and suffering. By expressing sorrow for past wrongdoing and seeking forgiveness, the psalmist acknowledges the need for spiritual growth and renewal, making it a powerful tool for spiritual reflection and transformation.