PSALM 32 - Repentance and forgiveness.

In the slightly different numbering system used in the Greek version of the Septuagint and in the Latin Vulgate translation of the Bible, this psalm is Psalm 31. The psalmist (traditionally, King David) expresses the joy of being freed from great suffering. The psalm is divided into two parts: in verses 1-5, the psalmist proclaims the joy of seeing his guilt remitted by God, and from verse 6 to verse 11, he shows his confidence in the belief that God is the guide to the right. path.
The damage suffered by the psalmist is very hard to bear, even if we cannot precisely know its nature. The psalmist tries to understand where he comes from, because at the time the misfortune was understood as a consequence of the sins committed. But far from being an occasion for revolt, this event leads him to experience God's forgiveness.
This psalm is one of the seven penitential psalms, as it focuses on the psalmist's previous sins. It is one of the psalms known as maschil, which means "enlightened" or "wise", and the Jerusalem Bible describes it as a "didactic psalm". The psalm itself is not a prayer of repentance, but a confession of sin is consummated. It also touches on themes of sapiential poetry, and belongs to the series of psalms of thanksgiving of an individual. According to James Luther Mays, the psalmist, in the exercise of repentance he teaches others his experience and then gives instructions. It is divided into the following segments:
1. Verse 1: Commitment to repentance
2. Verses 3-5: The psalmist's anguish
3. Verse 6: Forgiveness and admonition to others
4. Verse 8: Discourse of wisdom
5. Verse 10: Summary of the experience
6. Verse 11: Rejoice in the forgiveness of sins
Judaism
The psalm is recited on Yom Kippur in some traditions.
Psalm 32 is one of the ten Psalms of Breslov's Rebbe Nachman Tikkun HaKlali.
Verse 8 is found in the "Foundation of Repentance" recited on the eve of Rosh Hashanah.
New Testament
The apostle Paul refers to verses 1 and 2 of the Psalm in Romans 4: 7-8, in his explanation of salvation by faith, not by works.
Catholic church
Following St. Benedict of Nursia, the practice in the Middle Ages was for monasteries to recite or sing this Psalm in the morning on Sundays. Today, Psalm 31 is sung or recited at Vespers on Thursday of the first week of the main four-week cycle of liturgical prayers.
Common prayer book
In the Church of England's Book of Common Prayer, this psalm is appointed to be read on the evening of the sixth day of the month.