Psalm 32 — Hebrew and Greek compared
Disparate in this chapter: 32:4, 32:7
Each card keeps the independently rendered source readings above their shared comparison and reception notes. The badge records the source’s governing classification; disparate readings are marked in red. Each reading retains its original reference.
Psalm 32
The blessedness of forgiveness
Verse 32:1 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[32:1] Of David. A Maskil.
Blessed is the one whose rebellion is forgiven,
whose sin is covered.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[31:1] Of David. Of understanding.
Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are forgiven
and whose sins are covered.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: The Hebrew blessing is singular; Greek makes its recipients plural and interprets the title as understanding. Reception: Paul quotes this blessing in explaining God's reckoning righteousness apart from works (Romans 4:6–8; SBL-ROM-PS).
Verse 32:2 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[32:2] Blessed is the person to whom YHWH does not reckon iniquity,
and in whose spirit there is no deceit.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[31:2] Blessed is the man whose sin the Lord will certainly not reckon,
and in whose mouth there is no deceit.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Hebrew locates deceit in the spirit; Greek in the mouth. Both deny the reckoning of guilt.
Verse 32:3 Similar
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[32:3] When I kept silent, my bones wore away
through my roaring all day long.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[31:3] Because I kept silent, my bones grew old
from my crying out all day long.
Classification & Notes
Similar. Text: Both join silence about guilt with prolonged cries and bodily wasting.
Verse 32:4 Disparate
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[32:4] For day and night Your hand weighed heavily upon me;
my moisture was changed by summer's droughts. Selah.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[31:4] For day and night Your hand weighed heavily upon me;
I was turned to misery when a thorn became lodged. Diapsalma.
Classification & Notes
Disparate. Text: Hebrew depicts the loss of bodily moisture in drought; Greek depicts misery when a thorn lodges. These are materially different explanations of suffering.
Verse 32:5 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[32:5] I will make my sin known to You;
I have not covered my iniquity.
I said, “I will confess my rebellions against myself to YHWH,”
and You bore away the iniquity of my sin. Selah.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[31:5] I made my sin known,
and I did not cover my lawlessness.
I said, “I will confess my lawlessness against myself to the Lord,”
and You forgave the impiety of my sin. Diapsalma.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Hebrew first promises disclosure directly to God; Greek reports disclosure. The final clauses preserve their differing terms for guilt and forgiveness.
Verse 32:6 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[32:6] Therefore let every faithful one pray to You at a time of finding;
surely, when many waters flood, they will not reach him.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[31:6] For this every holy one will pray to You at a fitting time;
yet in a flood of many waters they will not approach him.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Hebrew leaves the object of finding unstated; Greek specifies a fitting opportunity. Neither column inserts an unexpressed object such as forgiveness.
Verse 32:7 Disparate
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[32:7] You are a hiding place for me;
You protect me from trouble;
with shouts of deliverance You surround me. Selah.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[31:7] You are my refuge from the affliction surrounding me;
my exultation, redeem me from those who have encircled me. Diapsalma.
Classification & Notes
Disparate. Text: Hebrew has God surround the speaker with deliverance songs; Greek has affliction and enemies surround him and turns to a plea for redemption.
Verse 32:8 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[32:8] I will give you insight and instruct you in the way you should go;
I will counsel you, my eye upon you.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[31:8] I will give you understanding and instruct you in this way in which you will go;
I will fix my eyes upon you.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Hebrew explicitly promises counsel; Greek speaks of fixing the eyes. The speaker is not explicitly named, so the translation does not force either God or the human teacher as speaker.
Verse 32:9 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[32:9] Do not be like a horse or a mule without understanding;
with bit and bridle its trappings must restrain it,
lest it come near you.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[31:9] Do not become like a horse and mule that have no understanding;
with bridle and muzzle tighten their jaws—
those that do not approach you.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Hebrew's compressed restraint clause is difficult: the final negative may alternatively describe the animal's refusal to approach. Greek explicitly names jaws and those not approaching; it is not silently recast as Hebrew. Category basis: The restraint construction, jaws and final negative differ, but no material addition or rearrangement governs. Because the Hebrew negative can also describe non-approach, a major opposite outcome is not established.
Verse 32:10 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[32:10] Many are the pains of the wicked,
but steadfast love surrounds the one who trusts in YHWH.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[31:10] Many are the scourges of the sinner,
but mercy will surround the one who hopes in the Lord.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: Greek specifies scourges where Hebrew names pains; trust and hope correspond closely.
Verse 32:11 Different
Hebrew–English: Literal-Smooth (Rabbinic Priority)
[32:11] Rejoice in YHWH and exult, righteous ones;
shout for joy, all upright in heart.
Greek–English: Literal-Smooth (Saints Priority)
[31:11] Rejoice in the Lord and exult, righteous ones;
boast, all upright in heart.
Classification & Notes
Different. Text: The final Hebrew command is joyful shouting; Greek commands boasting.