The psalms are meant to be sung! Read the article “Singing the Psalms: Recovering the Church’s God-Inspired Hymnbook.”
Original Metrical Setting
Sung on the First Sunday in Lent (Year A) or the Fourth Sunday in Lent (Year C). Sing to the tune Redhead (Go To Dark Gethsemane). Alternatively, Dix (For the Beauty of the Earth) may be used. Psalm 32 contrasts the misery that comes when we cover (hide) our sins with the joy that comes when we expose our sins so that God can cover (forgive) them. Christ made this forgiveness possible by his atoning death on the cross.
Blessed is the one whose sin
God has covered and forgiv’n.
Happy is the one who knows
God’s free grace, freely bestowed—
Against whom God counts no sin,
Who is cleansed from sin within.
When I covered up my sin,
I groaned day and night within,
My bones wasted ‘neath your hand,
As in heat, I could not stand;
Then to you I turned, confessed;
You forgave and gave me rest.
Therefore, godly ones, don’t wait;
Pray before it is too late.
In fierce waters of God’s wrath,
There will be no turning back.
Lord, from trouble, you hide me;
You give shouts of victory!
I will teach you, says the Lord,
In the way that you should go;
I will keep my eye on you,
And with counsel, see you through;
Do not be like horse or mule,
Which need bridled like a fool.
Sorrow, pain, and misery,
Wicked ones will surely see;
But God’s steadfast love surrounds,
Those who trust in God alone.
Righteous ones, rejoice in God!
Upright heart, O shout for joy!
Christ who knew no sin was judged,
Bore God’s wrath and shed his blood;
Covered all our guilt and sin;
By his blood we are forgiv’n.
Find in Christ relief from shame;
Inward cleansing in his name.
Glory to the Father and
Glory to the Son be giv’n,
Glory to the Spirit be
Praise and bless the one, the three,
As it was, is now, and shall
Evermore to God resound.
Other Metrical Settings
- [Recommended] Seedbed (Tennents) Metrical Psalter with Audio (see also the book) — easily sung by congregations; see the video below
- Scottish Metrical Psalter
Chants
- [Recommended] St. Bernard Breviary — the Daily Office of the 2019 BCP with simple chant tones; see the “Chant Helps” page of the Breviary website
- Theopolis Liturgy and Psalter
- Psalm 32 Anglican Chant
- Chant by Trinity College Cambridge
