1The blessedness of him whose sins are forgiven. 3Confession of sins giveth ease to the conscience. 8David exhorteth others to a well-regulated conduct by the blessings which attend it.
0A Psalm of David, 1Maschil.a
1 That is, instructor, who gives understanding, makes understanding, that is, a psalm of doctrinal instruction, or, a teaching psalm. Various other psalms have also this same title, which were made for some special instruction and direction, as well for the author himself as for the entire church.
a instruction*
1BLESSED2is heb whose transgression is 3forgiven, whose sin is covered.
2 See the exposition of this doctrine Rom. 4:6, 7, etc.; 2 Cor. 5:19, 21.
b Rom. 4:6, 7.
3 Or, taken away; this manner of speaking is likewise used in the New Testament. See Psalm 25 on verse 18, and compare Heb. 9:28. Hebr. as if one would say: eased or forgiven of transgression, or a forgiven one of transgression, covered of sin; which Hebrew manner of expression implies the same that is expressed in the text.
2Blessed is the man unto whom the LORD imputeth not iniquity, and in whose 4spirit there is no guile.
4 That is, who serves God without hypocrisy or dissembling, and confesses his sins with an upright heart before Him.
3When I kept 5silence, my bones waxed old through my roaring all the day long.
5 That is, not confessing my sins before the LORD.
4For day and night thy 6hand was heavy upon me: my 7moisture is turned into the drought of summer. 8Selah.
6 That is, affliction. Compare Ruth 1:13; Job 13 on verse 21.
7 That is, the natural warm moisture, which maintains the life of man.
8 See Psalm 3 on verse 2.
5 I 9acknowledged my sin unto thee, and mine iniquity have I not hid. I said, I will confessc my transgressions unto the LORD; and thou 10forgavest 11the iniquity of my sin. Selah.
9 That is, but when I, etc., then thou forgavest, etc.
c Prov. 28:13; 1 John 1:9.
10 Or, tookest away.
11 The guilt and the punishment, so that I consider myself judicially blessed, as verse 1.
6For this shall every one that is 12godly pray unto thee 13in a time when thou mayest be found: surely in the floods of 14great waters they shall not come nigh unto him.
12 See of the Hebrew word Psalm 4 on verse 3.
13 That is, when Thou, O Lord, wilt be found. See Isa. 55:6. Other, in time of finding, that is, when the judgments or punishments do find men home, which likewise agrees well with the sequel. See Psalm 21:8; 116:3. Likewise Deut. 4 on verse 30, etc.
14 Or, many, mighty waters, that is, when great extremities are ready to come upon them. See 2 Sam. 22 on verse 17.
7Thoudart my 15hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.
dPsalm 27:5; 31:20.
15 As a place of refuge. See Psalm 31:20.
816I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with 17mine eye.
16 Here the prophet turns his speech to the people; though some conceive these to be God’s own words, which David introduced speaking thus.
17 That is, I shall take care of thee, or taking care for thee. Compare Deut. 11:12; Ezra 5:5. Likewise 1 Kings 8 on verse 29; Psalm 33:18; 34:15; Jer. 24:6; 39:12; 40:4.
9Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whosee mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, 18lest they come near unto thee.
eProv. 26:3; James 3:3.
18 That the horse or mule does not hurt thee; or, when it will not approach unto thee.
10Many 19sorrows shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the LORD, 20mercy shall compass him about.
19 Compare Prov. 13:21; 19:29; 24:20.
20 Namely, of the LORD.
11Be glad in the LORD, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are 21upright in heart.
21 See Psalm 7 on verse 10.