Bible Verses About Psalms: Penitential Psalms

For the leader. With stringed instruments. On sh'minit [low-pitched musical instruments?]. A psalm of David: ADONAI, don't rebuke me in your anger, don't discipline me in the heat of your fury.

Be gracious to me, ADONAI, because I am withering away; heal me, ADONAI, because my bones are shaking;

I am completely terrified; and you, ADONAI - how long?

Come back, ADONAI, and rescue me! Save me for the sake of your grace;

for in death, no one remembers you; in Sh'ol, who will praise you?

I am worn out with groaning; all night I drench my bed with tears, flooding my couch till it swims.

My vision is darkened with anger; it grows weak because of all my foes.

Get away from me, all you workers of evil! For ADONAI has heard the sound of my weeping,

ADONAI has heard my pleading, ADONAI will accept my prayer.

All my enemies will be confounded, completely terrified; they will turn back and be suddenly put to shame.

By David. A maskil: How blessed are those whose offense is forgiven, those whose sin is covered!

How blessed those to whom ADONAI imputes no guilt, in whose spirit is no deceit!

When I kept silent, my bones wasted away because of my groaning all day long;

day and night your hand was heavy on me; the sap in me dried up as in a summer drought. (Selah)

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)

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.

You are a hiding-place for me, you will keep me from distress; you will surround me with songs of deliverance. (Selah)

"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."

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.

Many are the torments of the wicked, but grace surrounds those who trust in ADONAI.

Be glad in ADONAI; rejoice, you righteous! Shout for joy, all you upright in heart!

A song of ascents. By David: ADONAI, I call to you from the depths;

hear my cry, Adonai! Let your ears pay attention to the sound of my pleading.

Yah, if you kept a record of sins, who, Adonai, could stand?

But with you there is forgiveness, so that you will be feared.