Psalm 32:6
New International Version
Therefore let all the faithful pray to you while you may be found; surely the rising of the mighty waters will not reach them.

New Living Translation
Therefore, let all the godly pray to you while there is still time, that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgment.

English Standard Version
Therefore let everyone who is godly offer prayer to you at a time when you may be found; surely in the rush of great waters, they shall not reach him.

Berean Standard Bible
Therefore let all the godly pray to You while You may be found. Surely when great waters rise, they will not come near.

King James Bible
For this shall every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh unto him.

New King James Version
For this cause everyone who is godly shall pray to You In a time when You may be found; Surely in a flood of great waters They shall not come near him.

New American Standard Bible
Therefore, let everyone who is godly pray to You in a time when You may be found; Certainly in a flood of great waters, they will not reach him.

NASB 1995
Therefore, let everyone who is godly pray to You in a time when You may be found; Surely in a flood of great waters they will not reach him.

NASB 1977
Therefore, let everyone who is godly pray to Thee in a time when Thou mayest be found; Surely in a flood of great waters they shall not reach him.

Legacy Standard Bible
Therefore, let every holy one pray to You at a time when You may be found; Surely in a flood of great waters they will not reach him.

Amplified Bible
Therefore, let everyone who is godly pray to You [for forgiveness] in a time when You [are near and] may be found; Surely when the great waters [of trial and distressing times] overflow they will not reach [the spirit in] him.

Christian Standard Bible
Therefore let everyone who is faithful pray to you immediately. When great floodwaters come, they will not reach him.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Therefore let everyone who is faithful pray to You at a time that You may be found. When great floodwaters come, they will not reach him.

American Standard Version
For this let every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: Surely when the great waters overflow they shall not reach unto him.

Contemporary English Version
We worship you, Lord, and we should always pray whenever we find out that we have sinned. Then we won't be swept away by a raging flood.

English Revised Version
For this let every one that is godly pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely when the great waters overflow they shall not reach unto him.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
For this reason let all godly people pray to you when you may be found. Then raging floodwater will not reach them.

Good News Translation
So all your loyal people should pray to you in times of need; when a great flood of trouble comes rushing in, it will not reach them.

International Standard Version
Therefore every godly person should pray to you at such a time. Surely a flood of great waters will not reach him.

Majority Standard Bible
Therefore let all the godly pray to You while You may be found. Surely when great waters rise, they will not come near.

NET Bible
For this reason every one of your faithful followers should pray to you while there is a window of opportunity. Certainly when the surging water rises, it will not reach them.

New Heart English Bible
For this, let everyone who is faithful pray to you in a time when you may be found. Surely when the great waters overflow, they shall not reach to him.

Webster's Bible Translation
For this shall every one that is godly pray to thee in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come nigh to him.

World English Bible
For this, let everyone who is godly pray to you in a time when you may be found. Surely when the great waters overflow, they shall not reach to him.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
For every saintly one prays this to You, "" In the time to find [You]. Surely at an overflowing of many waters, "" They do not come to him.

Young's Literal Translation
For this doth every saintly one pray to Thee, As the time to find. Surely at an overflowing of many waters, Unto him they come not.

Smith's Literal Translation
For this all the godly shall pray to thee for the time of finding: only for the inundation of many waters they shall not draw near to him.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
For this shall every one that is holy pray to thee in a seasonable time. And yet in a flood of many waters, they shall not come nigh unto him.

Catholic Public Domain Version
For this, everyone who is holy will pray to you in due time. Yet truly, in a flood of many waters, they will not draw near to him.

New American Bible
Therefore every loyal person should pray to you in time of distress. Though flood waters threaten, they will never reach him.

New Revised Standard Version
Therefore let all who are faithful offer prayer to you; at a time of distress, the rush of mighty waters shall not reach them.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
For this let every one that is chosen pray unto thee at an appointed time; surely even the floods of great waters shall not come near him.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
Because of this, everyone whom you choose will pray to you in the acceptable time, but there will be a flood of many waters and they will not come near him.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
For this let every one that is godly pray unto Thee in a time when Thou mayest be found; Surely, when the great waters overflow, they will not reach unto him.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
Therefore shall every holy one pray to thee in a fit time: only in the deluge of many waters they shall not come nigh to him.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Providence of God
5Then I acknowledged my sin to You and did not hide my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the LORD,” and You forgave the guilt of my sin. Selah 6Therefore let all the godly pray to You while You may be found. Surely when great waters rise, they will not come near. 7You are my hiding place. You protect me from trouble; You surround me with songs of deliverance. Selah…

Cross References
Isaiah 55:6
Seek the LORD while He may be found; call on Him while He is near.

Matthew 7:7-8
Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. / For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

James 5:16
Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man has great power to prevail.

Isaiah 55:7
Let the wicked man forsake his way and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, that He may have compassion, and to our God, for He will freely pardon.

1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Proverbs 8:17
I love those who love me, and those who seek me early shall find me.

Jeremiah 29:12-13
Then you will call upon Me and come and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. / You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart.

Luke 11:9-10
So I tell you: Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened to you. / For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.

2 Chronicles 7:14
and if My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.

Isaiah 65:24
Even before they call, I will answer, and while they are still speaking, I will hear.

Hebrews 4:16
Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

Psalm 69:13
But my prayer to You, O LORD, is for a time of favor. In Your abundant loving devotion, O God, answer me with Your sure salvation.

Matthew 6:6
But when you pray, go into your inner room, shut your door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. And your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Isaiah 26:9
My soul longs for You in the night; indeed, my spirit seeks You at dawn. For when Your judgments come upon the earth, the people of the world learn righteousness.

Romans 10:13
for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”


Treasury of Scripture

For this shall every one that is godly pray to you in a time when you may be found: surely in the floods of great waters they shall not come near to him.

For this

Psalm 34:2-5
My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad…

Psalm 40:3
And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.

Psalm 51:12,13
Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit…

godly

Psalm 4:3
But know that the LORD hath set apart him that is godly for himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto him.

2 Corinthians 7:9,10
Now I rejoice, not that ye were made sorry, but that ye sorrowed to repentance: for ye were made sorry after a godly manner, that ye might receive damage by us in nothing…

Titus 2:12
Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

pray

Proverbs 1:28
Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me:

Isaiah 49:8
Thus saith the LORD, In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee: and I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages;

Isaiah 55:6
Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:

a time [heb] a time of finding

Psalm 42:7
Deep calleth unto deep at the noise of thy waterspouts: all thy waves and thy billows are gone over me.

Psalm 69:1,2,13-15
To the chief Musician upon Shoshannim, A Psalm of David. Save me, O God; for the waters are come in unto my soul…

Psalm 124:4,5
Then the waters had overwhelmed us, the stream had gone over our soul: …

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Cause Distress Find Flood Floods Found Godly Great Mayest Mighty Nigh Offer Overflow Overflowing Overtake Prayer Reach Rise Saint Saintly Surely Time Waters
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Psalm 32
1. Blessedness consists in remission of sins
3. Confession of sins gives ease to the conscience
8. God's promises bring joy














Therefore let all the godly pray to You
This phrase emphasizes the importance of prayer for those who are righteous or "godly." In the biblical context, the godly are those who live in accordance with God's will and seek His guidance. Prayer is a fundamental aspect of a relationship with God, as seen throughout the Psalms and other scriptures (e.g., Psalm 4:3, 1 Thessalonians 5:17). The call to prayer here suggests a sense of urgency and necessity, highlighting the importance of maintaining a close connection with God.

while You may be found.
This implies a window of opportunity for seeking God, suggesting that there may be times when it is more difficult to find Him. This echoes Isaiah 55:6, which urges people to seek the Lord while He is near. The idea is that God's presence and willingness to be found are not to be taken for granted. It also reflects the urgency of repentance and turning to God before it is too late, as seen in the parable of the ten virgins (Matthew 25:1-13).

Surely when great waters rise,
The imagery of "great waters" often symbolizes chaos, danger, or judgment in the Bible. This can be seen in the story of Noah's flood (Genesis 6-9) and the crossing of the Red Sea (Exodus 14). The rising waters represent overwhelming circumstances or divine judgment. In a spiritual sense, it can also refer to the trials and tribulations that believers may face in life.

they will not come near.
This assurance of protection is a common theme in the Psalms, where God is depicted as a refuge and fortress (Psalm 46:1-3, Psalm 91:7-8). For the godly who seek God in prayer, there is a promise of safety and deliverance from overwhelming circumstances. This reflects the broader biblical theme of God's faithfulness to protect and preserve those who trust in Him, as seen in the deliverance of Daniel from the lion's den (Daniel 6) and the protection of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace (Daniel 3).

Persons / Places / Events
1. David
Traditionally attributed as the author of Psalm 32, David is a central figure in the Old Testament, known for his deep relationship with God, his psalms, and his reign as king of Israel.

2. The Godly
Refers to those who are devout and faithful to God, seeking His presence and guidance in their lives.

3. Great Waters
Symbolic of overwhelming troubles or adversities that can threaten one's peace and security.
Teaching Points
The Urgency of Prayer
The verse emphasizes the importance of seeking God in prayer before times of trouble arise. It is a call to be proactive in our spiritual lives.

Security in God
When we are in right standing with God, symbolized by being "godly," we have the assurance that He will protect us from overwhelming circumstances.

God's Availability
The phrase "while You may be found" suggests that there are opportune times to seek God, and we should not delay in turning to Him.

The Power of Community Prayer
The call for "everyone who is godly" to pray highlights the strength found in communal prayer and the collective seeking of God's presence.

Symbolism of Water
Understanding "great waters" as symbolic of life's challenges can help us recognize the importance of spiritual preparedness and reliance on God.(6) For this--i.e., for this cause.

Shall every one.--Better, let every one.

In a time . . .--See margin. The expression, "time of finding,"' is, of course, elliptical. The Authorised Version explains by Isa. Iv. 6; but Isaiah 45:8 would suggest that "forgiveness" or "acceptance" is the word to be supplied. More probably still some general word, as "goal" or "object," is required, the phrase being rendered by the LXX., "in the appointed time;" by the Vulg., "opportune."

Surely.--This adds emphasis to the statement, whether we render after Proverbs 13:10, "only unto him," or as in Authorised Version. "He--the godly--is the man whom, when the floods rise, they shall not harm." The floods may either be an image of Divine judgment, as in Nahum 1:8, or of temptation and trial, as in Matthew 7:24-27. . . .

Verse 6. - For this; or, because of this; i.e. on account of this experience of mine - this immediate following of the grant of forgiveness upon confession of sin - shall every one that is godly - i.e., that is sincere and earnest in religion, though he may be overtaken in a fault or surprised into a sin - pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found; literally, in a time of finding, which some understand as a time when God "finds," and visits, some iniquity in his servants, and others, as the Authorized Version, "in a time when thou art gracious, and allowest thyself to be found by those who approach thee." Surely in the floods of great waters they (i.e. the waters) shall not come nigh unto him; i.e. shall not approach such a man to injure him.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Therefore
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

let all
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

the godly
חָסִ֨יד ׀ (ḥā·sîḏ)
Adjective - masculine singular
Strong's 2623: Kind, pious

pray
יִתְפַּלֵּ֬ל (yiṯ·pal·lêl)
Verb - Hitpael - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6419: To judge, to intercede, pray

to You
אֵלֶיךָ֮ (’ê·le·ḵā)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

while
לְעֵ֪ת (lə·‘êṯ)
Preposition-l | Noun - common singular
Strong's 6256: Time, now, when

You may be found.
מְ֫צֹ֥א (mə·ṣō)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 4672: To come forth to, appear, exist, to attain, find, acquire, to occur, meet, be present

Surely
רַ֗ק (raq)
Adverb
Strong's 7535: But, even, except, howbeit howsoever, at the least, nevertheless

when great
רַבִּ֑ים (rab·bîm)
Adjective - masculine plural
Strong's 7227: Much, many, great

waters
לְ֭שֵׁטֶף (lə·šê·ṭep̄)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 7858: Flood -- a deluge

rise,
מַ֣יִם (ma·yim)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 4325: Water, juice, urine, semen

they will not
לֹ֣א (lō)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

come near.
יַגִּֽיעוּ׃ (yag·gî·‘ū)
Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5060: To touch, lay the hand upon, to reach, violently, to strike


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OT Poetry: Psalm 32:6 For this let everyone who is godly (Psalm Ps Psa.)
Psalm 32:5
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