Midrash su Salmi 33:1

R. Chinena b. Papa said: "What is the meaning of the following passage (Ps. 33, 1) Be joyful, O ye righteous in the Lord; for unto the righteous praise is becoming. Do not read [Nova-Tahilla] praise is becoming, but read [Nova-Tehilla] concerning the edifice which deserves praise. This refers to Moses and David whose work the enemy did not have the power to destroy; David, as it is written (Lam. 2, 9) Sunk unto the ground her gates, hence the enemy did not destroy it. Moses, for the master said: Since the time of the completion of the first Temple, the tabernacle, together with its hooks, boards, bars and its pillars, were hidden miraculously." Where were they hidden? Said R. Chisda in the name of R. Abimi: "In the ground of the Sanctuary."

We are taught that R. Juda b. Baba says, "One must specify his sin [when he confesses], as it is said (Ex. 32, 31) This people hath sinned a great sin, and they have made themselves a god of gold." R. Akiba, however, says that one need not specify his sin, as it is said (Ps. 33, 1) Happy is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. But how shall the passage. And they have made themselves a god of gold, be explained? This is explained by R. Janai, for R. Janai said: Moses thus pleaded before the Holy One, praised be He! "Sovereign of the Universe! the silver and the gold which Thou didst pour upon them, until they said enough, were the reason they made the golden calf."

Two good leaders have arisen for Israel, Moses and David. Moses said: "Let my sin be inscribed," as it is said (Deut. 32, 51) Because ye trespassed against Me in the midst of the children of Israel at the waters of Meribath-Kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin; because ye sanctified me not in the midst of the children of Israel. And David said: "Let my sins not be inscribed"; as it is said (Ps. 33, 1) Happy is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered. The illustration of Moses and David may be compared to two women punished in court: one, because she had committed a disgraceful sin; and the other, because she had eaten unripe dates of the Sabbatical year. "I pray thee," pleaded the second, "proclaim the cause of my punishment, so that it should not be said I am punished for the same sin as the other woman." Complying with her request, they took the fruit and suspended it on her neck, and proclaimed, "Be it known that she has been chastised for this."