PSALTERIVM

PSALMVS XXXI — BEATI QVORVM

Blessed Are They Whose Sins Are Forgiven

Beati quorum remissae sunt is the second of the Seven Penitential Psalms, celebrating the blessedness of forgiveness for those who confess their sins without guile. St. Augustine reportedly had this psalm inscribed on the wall facing his deathbed. St. Paul quotes verses 1-2 in Romans 4:7-8 as scriptural proof for justification by faith.

LATINE
Beati, quorum remissae sunt iniquitates: et quorum tecta sunt peccata.
Beatus vir, cui non imputavit Dominus peccatum, nec est in spiritu eius 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 iniustitiam meam non abscondi. Dixi: Confitebor adversum me iniustitiam meam Domino: et tu remisisti impietatem peccati mei.
Pro hac orabit ad te omnis sanctus, in tempore opportuno.
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.
ENGLISH
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.
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.
NOTA
FONS
Douay-Rheims (1609) / Vulgata
USUS
Confession preparation, Penitential seasons
CONTEXT
Psalm 32 in Hebrew numbering. Second Penitential Psalm. St. Paul quotes vv. 1-2 in Romans 4:7-8 on justification by faith.