Psalms 32:6

KJV

For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him.

KJV (with Strong's)

For this shall every one that is godly {H2623} pray {H6419} unto thee in a time {H6256} when thou mayest be found {H4672}: surely in the floods {H7858} of great {H7227} waters {H4325} they shall not come nigh {H5060} unto him.

Complete Jewish Bible

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.

Berean Standard Bible

Therefore let all the godly pray to You while You may be found. Surely when great waters rise, they will not come near.

American Standard Version

For this let every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: Surely when the great waters overflow they shall not reach unto him.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Psalms 32:6 encapsulates a profound truth derived from the psalmist's experience of divine forgiveness: it calls every godly individual to seek the Lord proactively and prayerfully during opportune moments, assuring them that in the face of overwhelming calamities, symbolized by "floods of great waters," they will find impenetrable divine protection and refuge. The verse serves as both an exhortation to timely spiritual engagement and a steadfast promise of God's safeguarding presence for those in right relationship with Him.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Psalm 32 is designated a "Maskil," an instructional psalm, and stands as one of David's seven penitential psalms. It immediately follows Psalm 31, which ends with a declaration of trust in God's deliverance amidst distress. Psalm 32 opens with a jubilant declaration of the blessing of forgiveness for the one whose transgression is covered and whose sin is not counted against them ([Psalms 32:1-2](/psalms/32-1 "Psalms 32:1-2 - The Joy of Forgiveness")). The preceding verses ([Psalms 32:3-5](/psalms/32-3 "Psalms 32:3-5 - David's Anguish and Confession")) vividly recount David's personal agony, physical decay, and spiritual distress while he suppressed his guilt, contrasting it sharply with the relief and restoration that followed his confession to the Lord. Verse 6 acts as a natural and logical extension, drawing a universal principle from David's specific, personal testimony: because God is merciful, accessible, and a source of grace and protection, all who are truly godly should emulate David's proactive seeking of Him, especially when the opportunity is ripe. It transitions from individual experience to a general call to wisdom and righteous living.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** While the psalm does not specify the particular sin, many scholars associate David's experience of unconfessed sin and subsequent repentance with his adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of Uriah ([2_samuel/11](/2_samuel/11 "2 Samuel 11 - David's Sin with Bathsheba") and [2_samuel/12](/2_samuel/12 "2 Samuel 12 - Nathan's Rebuke and David's Repentance")). This historical backdrop underscores the profound personal cost of concealed sin and the immense relief of divine pardon. The imagery of "floods of great waters" is a potent and common biblical metaphor rooted in the ancient Near Eastern understanding of nature. In a region prone to devastating seasonal floods, water often symbolized chaos, judgment, overwhelming calamity, or hostile forces. This imagery would have resonated deeply with an audience familiar with the destructive power of uncontrolled waters, evoking a sense of existential threat from which only divine intervention could provide deliverance. The concept of seeking God "in a time when thou mayest be found" also reflects a covenantal understanding, where God's presence and favor were not always perceived as equally accessible, emphasizing seasons of grace or specific opportunities for reconciliation and communion.

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several major themes within Psalm 32 and the broader biblical narrative. Firstly, it highlights **the urgency of seeking God**, emphasizing that there are opportune moments ("a time when thou mayest be found") to draw near to Him, suggesting that delaying repentance or prayer can lead to missed blessings or intensified suffering. This echoes the call in [Isaiah 55:6](/isaiah/55-6 "Isaiah 55:6 - Seek the Lord While He May Be Found") to seek the Lord while He may be found. Secondly, it powerfully conveys the theme of **divine protection for the godly**. The vivid imagery of "floods of great waters" symbolizes overwhelming troubles, dangers, or even divine judgment, but for those who are godly and have sought the Lord, the promise is that these dangers "shall not come nigh unto him." This speaks to God's unfailing refuge and steadfast care for His faithful, a theme prevalent throughout the Psalms, such as in [Psalms 91:1](/psalms/91-1 "Psalms 91:1 - Dwelling in the Secret Place of the Most High"). Finally, the verse reinforces **the intrinsic link between confession, righteousness, and prayer**. "For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee" directly connects the act of prayer and seeking God with the blessing of forgiveness and the state of being "godly" as detailed earlier in the psalm. Because God is merciful and accessible to the penitent, prayer becomes a natural and necessary response for the truly godly, fostering a continuous relationship of trust, dependence, and reliance on His protective hand.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Godly (Hebrew, חָסִיד, _chasid_):** This term denotes one who is faithful, pious, and righteous, particularly in the context of covenant loyalty. It describes an individual who demonstrates _hesed_ ( steadfast love, covenant faithfulness) towards God, and in turn, experiences God's _hesed_ towards them. In Psalm 32, the "godly" person is one who has confessed their sin and experienced the joy of forgiveness, thus living in right relationship with God. Their godliness is not self-achieved perfection but a response of grateful obedience to God's grace.
* **Time when thou mayest be found (Hebrew, בְּעֵת מְצֹא, _b'et matzo_):** This phrase does not imply that God is ever truly "unfindable" or that His presence is limited. Rather, it emphasizes an opportune, favorable, or accessible time for seeking Him. It suggests a season of heightened grace, a moment when one should seize the opportunity to draw near to God, perhaps before a time of judgment, severe trial, or when the heart is particularly open to repentance. It speaks to the urgency of responding to God's invitation to relationship and reconciliation.
* **Floods of great waters (Hebrew, שִׁטְפַת מַיִם רַבִּים, _shiftaw mayim rabim_):** This is a powerful and common biblical metaphor for overwhelming calamity, distress, divine judgment, or even hostile forces. It evokes images of destruction, peril, and being submerged by uncontrollable circumstances. The "great waters" signify an abundance of trouble, a deluge of adversity from which human strength alone cannot provide deliverance. It is a symbol of ultimate danger and chaos, against which God's protection is absolute.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee":** This opening clause establishes a direct causal link ("For this") to the preceding verses, particularly the profound blessing of forgiveness and the joy found in confessing sin. Because God is a God who forgives and restores, the natural and necessary response of "every one that is godly" (the _chasid_, the one who lives in covenant faithfulness) is to "pray unto thee." Prayer here is not merely petition but an act of worship, communion, and humble reliance on the accessible and merciful God. It signifies a life lived in continuous, open relationship with the divine.
* **"in a time when thou mayest be found":** This critical phrase qualifies the act of prayer, emphasizing its timeliness and urgency. It calls the godly to be discerning and proactive, to seize the opportune moment for seeking God's face, confessing sins, and drawing near to Him. This "time" refers to a season of grace, an open door of access, or a moment when the heart is particularly receptive to God's call. It serves as a warning against procrastination in spiritual matters, implying that such opportunities, while abundant, may not always feel as readily available or may precede periods of greater difficulty.
* **"surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him.":** This final clause presents a powerful promise of divine protection. The "floods of great waters" symbolize overwhelming, life-threatening calamities, whether personal crises, societal upheavals, or spiritual attacks. The assurance is that for the one who has sought God and lives in a state of godliness (marked by confession and prayer), these overwhelming dangers "shall not come nigh unto him." This speaks to God's sovereign ability to provide refuge, to keep His faithful safe, and to prevent the destructive forces of life from overwhelming those who trust in Him. It is a promise of security and deliverance, not necessarily from experiencing trials, but from being consumed by them.

#### Literary Devices
Psalms 32:6 employs several potent **literary devices** to convey its message. The most prominent is **Metaphor**, particularly in the phrase "floods of great waters." This vivid imagery transforms abstract concepts of overwhelming trouble, calamity, or divine judgment into a concrete, terrifying, and universally understood natural phenomenon. The "floods" evoke a sense of being submerged, drowned, and utterly helpless, thereby magnifying the power of God's protection, which prevents these waters from "coming nigh" to the godly. This creates a powerful **contrast** between the destructive power of the "floods" and the impenetrable safety provided by God. There is also an element of **Exhortation** and **Assurance** woven throughout the verse; it is both a call to action ("pray unto thee") and a steadfast promise of security ("they shall not come nigh unto him"). The verse's structure moves from a general principle of righteous living to a specific, comforting promise, reinforcing the cause-and-effect relationship between seeking God and experiencing His deliverance.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly articulates the accessible nature of God's grace and the wisdom of timely repentance and prayer. It underscores the theological truth that God is not a distant, unapproachable deity, but one who desires to be found, especially by those who humble themselves and seek His face. The "time when thou mayest be found" highlights divine initiative and human responsibility; God makes Himself available, and humanity is called to respond with urgency and sincerity. This proactive seeking is not merely a means to escape trouble but a vital aspect of a thriving relationship with God, built on confession and trust. The promise of protection from "floods of great waters" reinforces God's sovereignty over chaos and His unwavering commitment to preserve His covenant people, not necessarily from experiencing trials, but from being overcome by them. It is a testament to the security found in a life aligned with God's will, where His presence serves as an ultimate refuge against all forms of adversity.

* [Isaiah 55:6](/isaiah/55-6 "Isaiah 55:6 - Seek the Lord While He May Be Found")
* [Proverbs 28:13](/proverbs/28-13 "Proverbs 28:13 - Confession and Mercy")
* [Nahum 1:7](/nahum/1-7 "Nahum 1:7 - The Lord is Good, a Stronghold in the Day of Trouble")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Psalms 32:6 offers a timeless blueprint for navigating life's inevitable challenges with spiritual resilience. It urges us to cultivate a proactive and consistent prayer life, not as a last resort, but as a primary means of communion with God. The call to pray "in a time when thou mayest be found" is a powerful reminder that spiritual opportunities should be seized, not squandered. This means cultivating a heart sensitive to God's presence and prompt in confession, rather than delaying repentance or waiting until crises force us to our knees. Just as David found peace and protection through his confession, we are invited to promptly bring our struggles, sins, and anxieties before God, trusting in His readiness to forgive and His power to protect. In a world often overwhelmed by "floods of great waters"—whether personal crises, societal upheavals, or spiritual attacks—this verse offers profound assurance: those who have established a right relationship with God through ongoing confession and seeking Him will find divine protection and an unshakeable refuge. It calls us to live proactively in prayer and repentance, preparing our hearts before the storms arrive, trusting in God's steadfast and unfailing care.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **Am I actively seeking God "in a time when [He] may be found," or do I tend to delay spiritual engagement until a crisis arises?**
* **What "floods of great waters" am I currently facing or anticipating, and how does the promise of God's protection from them encourage me?**
* **How does my prayer life reflect my understanding of God's accessibility and His desire for me to draw near?**
* **In what ways can I be more "godly" in my daily life, demonstrating covenant faithfulness that leads to a deeper prayer relationship with God?**

### FAQ
**Does "in a time when thou mayest be found" imply that God is sometimes unavailable or hard to find?**

Answer: No, this phrase does not suggest that God is ever truly "unfindable" or that His presence is limited. Instead, it emphasizes the importance of seizing an opportune or favorable moment for seeking Him. It speaks to the human condition and our receptivity, rather than God's accessibility. There are seasons when our hearts might be more open, or when God's Spirit is particularly drawing us, or when circumstances highlight our need for Him. The exhortation is to respond promptly to these moments of grace and invitation, rather than delaying. It's a call to proactive spiritual discipline, recognizing that while God is always present, our willingness and ability to perceive and respond to His presence can vary. This concept is echoed in other scriptures, such as [2 Corinthians 6:2](/2_corinthians/6-2 "2 Corinthians 6:2 - The Day of Salvation").

**What do "floods of great waters" symbolize in this verse?**

Answer: The "floods of great waters" is a powerful biblical metaphor for overwhelming calamity, distress, danger, or even divine judgment. This imagery is common in ancient Near Eastern literature and the Bible (e.g., the Genesis flood in [Genesis 7](/genesis/7 "Genesis 7 - The Great Flood"), or the Red Sea in [Exodus 14](/exodus/14 "Exodus 14 - Crossing the Red Sea")). It evokes a sense of being submerged, drowned, or utterly overwhelmed by forces beyond human control. In the context of Psalms 32:6, it symbolizes any profound and life-threatening adversity—personal crises, societal upheavals, spiritual attacks, or the consequences of unconfessed sin. The promise is that for the godly, these destructive forces "shall not come nigh unto him," signifying God's sovereign protection and ability to preserve His faithful from being consumed by such trials.

**How does Psalms 32:6 relate to the rest of Psalm 32?**

Answer: Psalms 32:6 serves as a crucial bridge and universal application of the personal testimony presented in the preceding verses. The psalm opens with a declaration of the blessing of forgiveness ([Psalms 32:1-2](/psalms/32-1 "Psalms 32:1-2 - The Joy of Forgiveness")) and then vividly describes David's agonizing experience of suppressing his sin and the subsequent relief and joy upon confessing it to the Lord ([Psalms 32:3-5](/psalms/32-3 "Psalms 32:3-5 - David's Anguish and Confession")). Verse 6 takes David's specific experience of finding relief and protection through confession and prayer and expands it into a general principle for "every one that is godly." It teaches that because God is merciful and accessible (as David experienced), all believers should proactively seek Him, especially in opportune moments, knowing that this relationship secures divine protection from life's overwhelming difficulties. Thus, it moves from personal testimony to universal wisdom, inviting all to partake in the blessings of forgiveness and security found in God.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Psalms 32:6 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The "time when thou mayest be found" is supremely realized in the incarnation of Christ, who is God made flesh, making God perfectly accessible to humanity ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). Through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, Jesus became the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), providing the ultimate basis for forgiveness that David longed for and experienced. It is through faith in Christ that one truly becomes "godly," clothed in His righteousness ([2_corinthians/5-21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Our Righteousness")), and gains direct access to God the Father ([Ephesians 2:18](/ephesians/2-18 "Ephesians 2:18 - Access to the Father Through Christ")). The "floods of great waters" that threaten to overwhelm humanity—sin, death, and divine judgment—were fully borne and conquered by Christ on the cross ([Colossians 2:13-15](/colossians/2-13 "Colossians 2:13-15 - Triumph Over Sin and Death")). For those who are "in Christ," these ultimate floods "shall not come nigh unto him," for they are secure in His finished work and eternal victory. Jesus himself is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble ([Psalms 46:1](/psalms/46-1 "Psalms 46:1 - God Our Refuge and Strength")), and through His intercession, believers are continually sustained and protected from the ultimate spiritual dangers ([Hebrews 7:25](/hebrews/7-25 "Hebrews 7:25 - Christ Our Eternal Intercessor")). Thus, Christ is the means by which God is found, the basis for our godliness, and the ultimate deliverer from all the "floods" of life and eternity.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Isaiah 55:6

¶ Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:

Isaiah 43:2

When thou passest through the waters, I [will be] with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.

2 Corinthians 6:2

(For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now [is] the accepted time; behold, now [is] the day of salvation.)

Proverbs 1:28

Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:

John 7:34

Ye shall seek me, and shall not find [me]: and where I am, [thither] ye cannot come.

Psalms 34:2

My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear [thereof], and be glad.

Psalms 34:5

They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.