King James Version

What Does Psalms 32:6 Mean?

Psalms 32:6 in the King James Version says “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...” — study this verse from Psalms chapter 32 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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. when: Heb. of finding”

Psalms 32:6 · KJV

Prayer

Context

4

For day and night thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah.

5

I acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.

6

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. when: Heb. of finding

7

Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.

8

I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with mine eye. guide: Heb. counsel thee, mine eye shall be upon thee

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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. David transitions from personal testimony to universal principle—all godly should seek God in times of favor, because His protection sustains through floods of judgment. This links prayer timing with divine accessibility and guaranteed safety during trials.

For this signals that what follows derives from preceding testimony. Because confession brings forgiveness (vv. 1-5), every godly person should follow David's example. This establishes universal application: David's experience isn't unique but paradigmatic for all believers. Psalm moves from I to every one, from testimony to exhortation.

Every one that is godly identifies audience. Hebrew chasid means faithful one, saint, one who practices covenant love (chesed). These are people in faithful covenant relationship with God, marked by loyal devotion. Exhortation addresses believing community—not generic humanity but those already in relationship with God, who should deepen through prayer.

Pray unto thee in a time when thou mayest be found ('eth metso—time of finding, season when God is accessible) combines urgency with opportunity. Isaiah 55:6 echoes this: Seek the LORD while He may be found. Phrasing implies seasons of special grace exist—times when God invites seeking, when doors stand open. Godly should seize opportunities rather than presume on perpetual accessibility.

Surely in the floods of great waters (sheteph mayim rabim—overwhelming calamity, destructive judgment) represents catastrophic trials. These floods shall not come nigh—won't approach, reach, or touch one who has sought God in His time. Not promise of no trials but preservation through trials. God protects those who've established relationship through prayer. Metaphor anticipates Noah's flood (only those in ark survived) and baptism (those in Christ pass through judgment waters safely).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Imagery of floods as divine judgment pervades Scripture. Genesis flood destroyed earth, sparing only Noah's family. Israel passed through Red Sea while Egypt drowned. Prophets use flood imagery for God's overwhelming judgment (Isaiah 8:7-8, 28:2,17). David employs standard metaphor: just as literal floods destroy but ark saves, spiritual judgment threatens but God's protection preserves.

Phrase time when thou mayest be found may allude to Day of Atonement traditions. Yom Kippur was Israel's annual time when God could be found, when national confession and atonement occurred. This was calendar's moment of special accessibility when God promised to hear and forgive. David universalizes principle: regularly seek God in seasons of grace, establishing relationship before crisis arrives.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does it mean practically to seek God in time when He may be found? How recognize these seasons?
  2. Why should confession and prayer be proactive (in times of accessibility) rather than only reactive (in crisis)?
  3. How does flood imagery both warn of judgment and comfort believers regarding God's protection?
  4. In what ways does delaying confession or failing to seek God during times of grace prove dangerous?
  5. How does baptism serve as New Testament flood—waters of judgment we pass through safely in Christ?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
עַל1 of 15
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

זֹ֡את2 of 15
H2063

this (often used adverb)

יִתְפַּלֵּ֬ל3 of 15

“pray”

H6419

to judge (officially or mentally); by extension, to intercede, pray

כָּל4 of 15
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

חָסִ֨יד׀5 of 15

“For this shall every one that is godly”

H2623

properly, kind, i.e., (religiously) pious (a saint)

אֵלֶיךָ֮6 of 15
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

לְעֵ֪ת7 of 15

“unto thee in a time”

H6256

time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc

מְ֫צֹ֥א8 of 15

“when thou mayest be found”

H4672

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

רַ֗ק9 of 15
H7535

properly, leanness, i.e., (figuratively) limitation; only adverbial, merely, or conjunctional, although

לְ֭שֵׁטֶף10 of 15

“surely in the floods”

H7858

a deluge (literally or figuratively)

מַ֣יִם11 of 15

“waters”

H4325

water; figuratively, juice; by euphemism, urine, semen

רַבִּ֑ים12 of 15

“of great”

H7227

abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

אֵ֝לָ֗יו13 of 15
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

לֹ֣א14 of 15
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יַגִּֽיעוּ׃15 of 15

“they shall not come nigh”

H5060

properly, to touch, i.e., lay the hand upon (for any purpose; euphemistically, to lie with a woman); by implication, to reach (figuratively, to arrive

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Psalms. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Psalms 32:6 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Psalms 32:6 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 55:6Isaiah 43:22 Corinthians 6:2Proverbs 1:28Psalms 4:3Psalms 34:2-5

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