Psalm 31

The second penitential psalm.

Does this psalm differ from what you were expecting? Don't be confused. There are two systems for arranging the psalms: the Septuagint and the Masoretic. We use the Septuagint system here. In the Masoretic system, which is used in most modern Bible translations, this psalm is called Psalm 32, and the previous psalm is known as Psalm 31.

English (Douay-Rheims)

1 To David himself, understanding.

Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.
2 Blessed is the man to whom the Lord hath not imputed sin, and in whose spirit there is no guile.
3 Because I was silent my bones grew old; whilst I cried out all the day long. Because I was silent, etc... That is, whilst I kept silence, by concealing, or refusing to confess my sins, thy hand was heavy upon me, etc.
4 For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: I am turned in my anguish, whilst the thorn is fastened. I am turned, etc... That is, I turn and roll about in my bed to seek for ease in my pain whilst the thorn of thy justice pierces my flesh, and sticks fast in me. Or, I am turned: that is, I am converted to thee, my God, by being brought to a better understanding by thy chastisements. In the Hebrew it is, my moisture is turned into the droughts of the summer.
5 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.
6 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.
7 Thou art my refuge from the trouble which hath encompassed me: my joy, deliver me from them that surround me.
8 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.
9 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.
10 Many are the scourges of the sinner, but mercy shall encompass him that hopeth in the Lord.
11 Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye just, and glory, all ye right of heart.

Old Testament first published 1609 by the English College at Douay
New Testament first published 1582 by the English College at Rheims
Revised and Annotated 1749 by Bishop Richard Challoner
Imprimatur. +James Cardinal Gibbons, Archbishop of Baltimore, September 1, 1899

Latin (Clementine Vulgate)

1 Ipsi David intellectus.

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

Transcribed as part of the Clementine Vulgate Project
Please notify the original transcriber (little.mouth@soon.com) of any errors in this Latin edition