The Book of Praise ‎#17

17. How blest are they whose trespass

1 How blest are they whose trespass
has freely been forgiven,
whose sins are wholly covered
before the sight of heaven.
Blest they to whom the Lord God
does not impute their sin,
who have a guileless spirit,
whose heart is true within.

2 While I kept guilty silence,
my strength was spent with grief,
your hand was heavy on me,
my soul found no relief;
but when I owned my trespass
and did not hide my sin,
then you forgave my guilt, Lord,
restored my life within.

3 So let the godly seek you
in times when you are near;
no whelming floods shall reach them,
or cause their hearts to fear;
O Lord, you are my refuge,
you are my hiding place,
and you surround me always
with songs of saving grace.

4 I graciously will teach you
the way that you should go,
and, with my eye upon you,
help you my counsel know.
Then do not be unruly
or slow to understand;
be not perverse, but willing
to heed my wise command.

5 The sorrows of the wicked
increase from year to year,
but those who trust the Lord God
know love instead of fear.
Then in the Lord be joyful:
in song lift up your voice;
be glad in God, you righteous:
rejoice, O saints, rejoice!

Text Information

• First Line: How blest are they whose trespass
• Title: How blest are they whose trespass
• Meter: 7 6 7 6 D
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1997
• Scripture:
  Psalm 32
• Topic: Forgiveness / Pardon; God: Refuge and Strength; Growth in Faith; Joy; Metrical Psalms; Salvation; Trust
• Source: Paraphrase, Psalter 1912, alt.
• Copyright: Public Domain

Tune Information

• Name: GOSTERWOOD
• Arranger: Ralph Vaughan Williams, 1872-1958
• Meter: 7 6 7 6 D
• Key: G Major
• Source: English Traditional
• Copyright: Arr. © Oxford University Press from The English Hymnal