PSALM 32 David says: Blessed is the man unto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquity—He acknowledges his

sin—He recommends that the

righteous be glad in the Lord and rejoice

A Psalm of David, Maschil (Musician, poet, performer).

1 BLESSED is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.

2 Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.
3 When I kept silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long.
4 For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah.
5 I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest
the iniquity of my sin. Selah.
6 For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come
nigh unto him.
7 Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.
8 I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye.
9 Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto
thee.
10 Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the LORD, mercy shall compass him about.
11 Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.

Chiasmus - Example 1, STEP 1

1 BLESSED is A he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. 2 B Blessed is the man unto whom C the LORD imputeth not
iniquity, and in whose spirit there is D no guile. 3 When I kept silence, E my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long. 4 For day and
night F thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah. 5 G I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine
iniquity have I not hid. I said, H I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and I thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah. 6 J For this
shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when K thou mayest be found: surely in L the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh
unto him. 7 L Thou art my hiding place; K thou shalt preserve me from trouble; J thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah. 8
I I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. 9 H Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule,
which have no G understanding:F whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee. 10 E Many sorrows shall be to
the wicked: but he that D trusteth in C the LORD, mercy shall compass him about. 11 Be glad in the LORD, and B rejoice, ye righteous: and shout
for joy, all A ye that are upright in heart.

1 Psalm 32 24July2010.doc
Chiasmus - Example 1, STEP 2

BLESSED is
A he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. 2
B Blessed is
C the man unto whom
D the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is
E no guile (deceit). 3 When I kept silence,
F my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long. 4 For day and night
G thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer Selah. 5
H I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said,
I I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and
J thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah. 6
K For this, shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when(that)
L thou mayest be found: surely in
M the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him. 7
M Thou art my hiding place;
L thou shalt preserve me from trouble;
K thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah. 8
J I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. 9
I Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no
H understanding:
G whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee. 10
F Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that
E trusteth in
D the LORD, mercy shall compass him about. Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice,
C ye righteous: and
B shout for joy, all
A ye that are upright in heart.

2 Psalm 32 24July2010.doc
Chiasmus - Example 1, STEP 3

BLESSED is
A he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. 2
B Blessed is
C the man unto whom
D the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is
E no guile (deceit). 3 When I kept silence,
F my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long. 4 For day and night
G thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer Selah. 5
H I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said,
I I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and
J thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah. 6
K For this, shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when(that)
L thou mayest be found: surely in
M the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him. 7
M Thou art my hiding place;
L thou shalt preserve me from trouble;
K thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah. 8
J I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee
with mine eye. 9
I Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no
H understanding:
G whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee. 10
F Many sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that
E trusteth in
D the LORD, mercy shall compass him about. Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice,
C ye righteous: and
B shout for joy, all
A ye that are upright in heart.
3 Psalm 32 24July2010.doc
Chiasmus - Example 2 (New International Version)

Blessed is
A he whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.
B Blessed is
C the man whose sin
D the Lord does not count against him and in whose spirit is
E no deceit. 3 When I kept silent,
F my bones wasted away through my groaning all day long. 4 For day and night
G your hand was heavy upon me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer. Selah 5
H I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity.
I I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord”— and
J you forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah 6 Therefore
K let everyone who is godly pray to you while
L you may be found; surely
M when the mighty waters rise,
M they will not reach him. 7
L You are my hiding place;
K you will protect me from trouble and
J surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah 8 I will instruct you and teach you in
the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you. 9
I Do not be like the horse or the mule, which
H have no understanding
G but must be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you. 10
F Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the man who
E trusts in him. 11Rejoice in
D the Lord and be glad,
C you righteous;
B sing, all
A you who are upright in heart!
4 Psalm 32 24July2010.doc