The blessedness of one forgiven, with God his hiding-place from trouble, and guided by His eye.

[A psalm] of David, for instruction. Happy is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.

2. Happy is the man to whom Jehovah imputeth not iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.

3. While I kept silence, my bones wasted, because of my roaring all the day.

4. For day and night Thy hand was heavy on me:my sap is turned into a summer drought. Selah.

5. I acknowledged my sin unto Thee, and mine iniquity have I not covered:I said, " I will confess my transgressions to Jehovah," and Thou forgavest the iniquity of my sin. Selah.

6. On this account shall every one that is godly pray unto Thee, in a time Thou mayest be found:surely in the flood of many waters, they shall not reach unto him.

7. Thou art my hiding-place; Thou shalt preserve me from strait:Thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah.

8. I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou goest; I will counsel [thee], Mine eye upon thee.

9. Be ye not as the horse [or] the mule, which has no understanding; its ornament bit and bridle to bind fast [or] it will not come near thee.

10. Many sorrows shall be to the wicked; but he that trusteth in Jehovah, mercy shall compass him about.

11. Be glad in Jehovah, and exult, ye righteous ; and shout for joy, all ye upright of heart.

Text.-(9) Some would have as the Authorized Version, "lest it come near thee."

Remarks.-(Title.) This is the first of the Maschil psalms, or psalms for instruction. Now considering that the whole book of psalms looks on specially to the last days, and that in Israel in that day there are divinely raised-up teachers who are given this same name of Maschilim, (Dan. 11:33, 35, "they that understand ; " 12:3, 10, "the wise,") and considering the peculiar character of these psalms themselves, it seems to me that they are special instruction for this very class. Revelation 13:18 and xvii 9 are, I believe, distinctly marked as similar instruction :nota bene for their eyes; while of course this in no wise prevents our use and application of them. Compare the Maschil psalms lii-lv, which reveal the character of Antichrist. But then how beautiful is it to see the first page turned down for them here, in which both the blessedness of forgiveness is dwelt on, and Jehovah their hiding-place, and His guidance for them. First lessons for Maschilim of all time to receive and give!
(i, 5) When I have not covered, God covers.

(5) "I said, 'I will confess'"-not "did confess." Divine love, prompt to meet us ("he ran" anticipates the confession. (Comp. the father and prodigal, Luke 15:17, 18, 20, 21.)

(7) The "music and dancing" of Luke 15: