The Complete Jewish Bible CJB
The Message Bible MSG
1 By David. A maskil: How blessed are those whose offense is forgiven, those whose sin is covered!
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Count yourself lucky, how happy you must be - you get a fresh start, your slate's wiped clean.
2 How blessed those to whom ADONAI imputes no guilt, in whose spirit is no deceit!
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Count yourself lucky - God holds nothing against you and you're holding nothing back from him.
3 When I kept silent, my bones wasted away because of my groaning all day long;
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When I kept it all inside, my bones turned to powder, my words became daylong groans.
4 day and night your hand was heavy on me; the sap in me dried up as in a summer drought. (Selah)
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The pressure never let up; all the juices of my life dried up.
5 When I acknowledged my sin to you, when I stopped concealing my guilt, and said, "I will confess my offenses to ADONAI"; then you, you forgave the guilt of my sin. (Selah)
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Then I let it all out; I said, "I'll make a clean breast of my failures to God." Suddenly the pressure was gone - my guilt dissolved, my sin disappeared.
6 This is what everyone faithful should pray at a time when you can be found. Then, when the floodwaters are raging, they will not reach to him.
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These things add up. Every one of us needs to pray; when all hell breaks loose and the dam bursts we'll be on high ground, untouched.
7 You are a hiding-place for me, you will keep me from distress; you will surround me with songs of deliverance. (Selah)
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God's my island hideaway, keeps danger far from the shore, throws garlands of hosannas around my neck.
8 "I will instruct and teach you in this way that you are to go; I will give you counsel; my eyes will be watching you."
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Let me give you some good advice; I'm looking you in the eye and giving it to you straight:
9 Don't be like a horse or mule that has no understanding, that has to be curbed with bit and bridle, or else it won't come near you.
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"Don't be ornery like a horse or mule that needs bit and bridle to stay on track."
10 Many are the torments of the wicked, but grace surrounds those who trust in ADONAI.
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God-defiers are always in trouble; God-affirmers find themselves loved every time they turn around.
11 Be glad in ADONAI; rejoice, you righteous! Shout for joy, all you upright in heart!
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Celebrate God. Sing together - everyone! All you honest hearts, raise the roof!
Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.