How blest is he whose trespass
hath freely been forgiv’n,
whose sin is wholly covered
before the sight of heav’n.
Blest he to whom Jehovah
will not impute his sin,
who hath a guileless spirit,
whose heart is true within.
While I kept guilty silence,
my strength was spent with grief;
thy hand was heavy on me,
my soul found no relief.
But when I owned my trespass,
my sin hid not from thee,
when I confessed transgression,
then thou forgavest me.
So let the godly seek thee
in times when thou art near;
no whelming floods shall reach them,
nor cause their hearts to fear.
In thee, O Lord, I hide me,
thou savest me from ill,
and songs of thy salvation
my heart with rapture thrill.
I graciously will teach thee
the way that thou shalt go,
and with my eye upon thee
my counsel make thee know.
But be ye not unruly
or slow to understand;
be not perverse, but willing
to heed my wise command.
The sorrows of the wicked
in number shall abound,
but those that trust Jehovah,
his mercy shall surround.
Then in the Lord be joyful,
in song lift up your voice;
be glad in God, ye righteous;
rejoice, ye saints, rejoice.