Keraia
Psalm 32

Psalm 32:9

The Joy of Forgiveness · Psalm 32:1–11
Read Psalm 32

Translations

Modern
Do not be like the horse or mule, which have no understanding; they must be controlled with bit and bridle to make them come to you.
Traditional
Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee.
Literal
You should not be like a horse, like a mule without understanding, with bit and bridle to curb its ornaments, that there is no coming near to you.
Latin
Nolite fieri sicut equus et mulus, quibus non est intellectus. In camo et freno maxillas eorum constringe, qui non approximant ad te.

Original

Hebrew
English
Do not be like the horse or mule, which have no understanding; they must be controlled with bit and bridle to make them come to you.

Notes

Psalms 32:9

The foolish person lacks wisdom. Ignoring the Lord’s advice harms life and makes a person like an animal (see Isaiah 1:3; James 3:3).

Psalms 32:1–11

This wisdom psalm of confession and thanks urges the godly to learn from the psalmist’s journey through sin, denial, confession, and forgiveness. The early church used this psalm as one of the seven penitential psalms (psalms of repentance, see also Psalms 6, 38, 51, 102, 130, 143).

Theme notes and profiles

David Praise Psalms Wisdom Psalms

Parallels

Romans 4:1–12

Glossary

Confession David Horse Mercy Music Psalms, Book of Wisdom Literature

Topics

Animals: Nature of Beasts: Devoid of Understanding Bit: Part of a Bridle Bridle: General Scriptures Concerning Common Sense Hearing God Impenitence: General Scriptures Concerning Self-Will and Stubbornness: Illustrated Self-Will: Illustrated The Horse: A Dull Headstrong Disposition The Horse: Governed by Bit and Bridle The Horse: Want of Understanding In, Alluded To The Mule: Stupid and Intractable