TRV
Psalms 32:6
Bible Versions
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.
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.
Therefore let all the godly pray to You while You may be found. Surely when great waters rise, they will not come near.
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.
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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.
Context
Psalm 32 is a profound "Maskil," or instructional psalm, penned by King David. It is a psalm of profound relief and joy, celebrating the blessing of forgiveness and the peace that comes from confessing sin rather than concealing it. The preceding verses (Psalms 32:1-5) vividly describe David's personal anguish and spiritual distress while he suppressed his guilt, and the subsequent restoration and delight upon confessing his transgressions to the Lord. Verse 6 acts as a natural extension, drawing a general principle from David's specific experience: because God is a God of forgiveness and grace, every godly person should seek Him and pray to Him, especially in times of opportunity, knowing He provides protection.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
The phrase "in a time when thou mayest be found" translates the Hebrew b'et matzo. This doesn't imply that God is ever truly "unfindable," but rather emphasizes an opportune or favorable time for seeking Him. It implies that there are seasons of heightened grace or times when one should seize the opportunity to draw near, perhaps before a time of judgment or severe trial. The "floods of great waters" (Hebrew: shiftaw mayim rabim) is a powerful and common biblical metaphor for overwhelming calamity, distress, or divine judgment. It evokes images of destruction and peril, from which only God can provide deliverance.
Practical Application
This verse serves as a powerful encouragement for believers today. It underscores the importance of not delaying confession of sins and maintaining an active prayer life. Just as David found peace through confession, we are invited to promptly bring our struggles and sins before God, knowing He is ready to forgive. Furthermore, it offers profound assurance: in the face of life's inevitable "floods" – whether personal crises, societal upheavals, or spiritual attacks – those who have established a right relationship with God through confession and continuous seeking will find divine protection and refuge. It calls us to live proactively in prayer and repentance, preparing our hearts before the storms arrive, trusting in God's steadfast care.