1 A Psalme of Dauid, Maschil. Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiuen, whose sinne is couered.
2 Blessed is the man vnto whom the Lord imputeth not iniquitie: and in whose spirit there is no guile.
3 When I kept silence, my bones waxed old; through my roaring all the day long.
4 For day and night thy hand was heauy vpon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. Selah.
5 I acknowledged my sin vnto thee, and mine iniquitie haue I not hid: I said, I will confesse my transgressions vnto the Lord; and thou forgauest the iniquitie of my sinne. Selah.
6 For this shall euery one that is godly pray vnto thee, in a time when thou mayest bee found: surely in the floods of great waters, they shall not come nigh vnto him.
7 Thou art my hiding place, thou shalt preserue mee from trouble: thou shalt compasse me about with songs of deliuerance. Selah.
8 I will instruct thee, and teach thee in the way which thou shalt goe: I will guide thee with mine eye.
9 Be yee not as the horse, or as the mule which haue no vnderstanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, least they come neere vnto thee.
10 Many sorrowes shall be to the wicked: but he that trusteth in the Lord, mercy shall compasse him about.
11 Be glad in the Lord, and reioyce yee righteous: and shout for ioy all ye that are vpright in heart.
The happiness of a pardoned sinner. (1,2) The misery that went before, and the comfort that followed the confession of sins. (3-7) Sinners instructed, believers encouraged. (8-11)
1,2 Sin is the cause of our misery; but the true believer's transgressions of the Divine law are all forgiven, being covered with the atonement. Christ bare his sins, therefore they are not imputed to him. The righteousness of Christ being reckoned to us, and we being made the righteousness of God in him, our iniquity is not imputed, God having laid upon him the iniquity of us all, and made him a sin-offering for us. Not to impute sin, is God's act, for he is the Judge. It is God that justifies. Notice the character of him whose sins are pardoned; he is sincere, and seeks sanctification by the power of the Holy Ghost. He does not profess to repent, with an intention to indulge in sin, because the Lord is ready to forgive. He will not abuse the doctrine of free grace. And to the man whose iniquity is forgiven, all manner of blessings are promised.
3-7 It is very difficult to bring sinful man humbly to accept free mercy, with a full confession of his sins and self-condemnation. But the true and only way to peace of conscience, is, to confess our sins, that they may be forgiven; to declare them that we may be justified. Although repentance and confession do not merit the pardon of transgression, they are needful to the real enjoyment of forgiving mercy. And what tongue can tell the happiness of that hour, when the soul, oppressed by sin, is enabled freely to pour forth its sorrows before God, and to take hold of his covenanted mercy in Christ Jesus! Those that would speed in prayer, must seek the Lord, when, by his providence, he calls them to seek him, and, by his Spirit, stirs them up to seek him. In a time of finding, when the heart is softened with grief, and burdened with guilt; when all human refuge fails; when no rest can be found to the troubled mind, then it is that God applies the healing balm by his Spirit.
8-11 God teaches by his word, and guides with the secret intimations of his will. David gives a word of caution to sinners. The reason for this caution is, that the way of sin will certainly end in sorrow. Here is a word of comfort to saints. They may see that a life of communion with God is far the most pleasant and comfortable. Let us rejoice, O Lord Jesus, in thee, and in thy salvation; so shall we rejoice indeed.
Commentary by Matthew Henry, 1710.