Of David. A maskil. Blessed is he whose transgression is forgiven, whose sin is covered.

A maskil [(a psalm explicated by an interpreter)] of David. Fortunate is he whose offense has been forgiven and his sin concealed.

Blessed is the man to whom the Lord imputes no iniquity, and in whose spirit there is no guile.

Fortunate is the man to whom the L rd does not ascribe transgression, [(on condition of)] there being no deceit in his spirit [(his repentance being pure)].

When I kept silence, my bones wasted away through my groaning all the day long.

When I was silent [(and did not confess before You)], my bones wore away in my groaning all the day [(in dread of punishment)].

For day and night Thy hand was heavy upon me: my moisture is turned into the drought of summer. (Sela.)

For day and night there weighed upon me [fear of] Your hand [(retribution)]; my marrow turned [dry] as in the scorching of an everlasting summer.

I acknowledged my sin to Thee, and my iniquity I have not hid. I said, I will confess my transgressions to the Lord; and Thou didst forgive the iniquity of my sin. (Sela.)

[Therefore,] I [always] confess my sin [to You], and I do not cover up my transgression, for I said: [It is good that] I confess my offenses to the L rd, and [(now that I have said to Nathan the prophet: "I have sinned" [with Bathsheva (viz. II Samuel 12:13)])], You have forgiven the transgression of my sin, forever.

For this shall everyone that is godly pray to Thee in a time when Thou mayst be found: then surely the floods of great waters shall not come near him.

For this [(what follows)] let every saint pray to You when You are found [(to accept his prayer)]: Only that a flood of many waters [(the malice of his foes)] not reach him [viz. II Samuel 24:14].

Thou art my hiding place; Thou shalt preserve me from trouble; Thou dost compass me about with songs of deliverance. (Sela.)

You are a [(protective)] covert to me. From the foe You guard me. [With] songs of deliverance You surround me forever.

I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will counsel thee, with my eye upon thee.

I will enlighten you and teach you to walk in this way. I will wink my eye to you [(meaningfully)]:

Be not like the horse, or the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, that they come not near to thee.

Do not be as a horse, as a mule, which does not discern [(whether it is being benefited or maltreated — whose mouth,)] when it is being groomed, must be muzzled with bit and bridle, so that it not approach you [to bite you]!

Many are the sorrows of the wicked: but he that trusts in the Lord, shall be surrounded by love.

Many pains befall the wicked [— who balk at them], but he who trusts in the L rd is surrounded [only] by lovingkindness [(knowing as he does that all comes from the L rd)].

Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, O you righteous: and shout for joy, all you who are upright in heart.

Rejoice in [the lovingkindness of] the L rd, and regale, you righteous, and sing praise, all you just of heart.