The Practices of Hard Days

¹ The one whose wrongdoing is forgiven, whose sin is covered over, is truly happy! ² The one the LORD doesn’t consider guilty in whose spirit there is no dishonesty that one is truly happy! ³ When I kept quiet, my bones wore out; I was groaning all day long every day, every night! ⁴ because your hand was heavy upon me. My energy was sapped as if in a summer drought. Selah ⁵ So I admitted my sin to you; I didn’t conceal my guilt. “I’ll confess my sins to the LORD,” is what I said. Then you removed the guilt of my sin. Selah ⁶ That’s why all the faithful should pray to you during troubled times, so that a great flood of water won’t reach them. ⁷ You are my secret hideout! You protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of rescue! Selah ⁸ I will instruct you and teach you about the direction you should go. I’ll advise you and keep my eye on you. ⁹ Don’t be like some senseless horse or mule, whose movement must be controlled with a bit and a bridle. Don’t be anything like that! ¹⁰ The pain of the wicked is severe, but faithful love surrounds the one who trusts the LORD. ¹¹ You who are righteous, rejoice in the LORD and be glad! All you whose hearts are right, sing out in joy!