This Psalm is called Maschil of David. And it is the first Psalm which beareth that Inscription: possibly there was an Holy Song, used among the Hebrews of old▪ that di• begin with that word Maschil, and was therefore known by that name, whose Metre was observed in composing and singing this Psalm Likewise by that Title, the scope and main •esign of David therein seemeth to be intimated. For Maschil signifieth ⟨p. 2⟩instruction or understanding. And that was Davids design in this (as in the other Psalms which bear the same ••le) to instruct men, and […] them to understand some useful mysterious Truths, which were not obvious unto, or considered by every one. There are two Doctrines which the Prophet doth here instruct men in. One is concerning the difference between Righteous and Wicked men, the happiness of the one, and the misery of the other, ver. 10. The other Doctrine is that which the Psalm begins with, viz. That they are blessed Men whose sins are forgiven, ver. 1,2. And it is worthy our observation, that David having propounded this Doctrine, he doth explain, confirm, and apply it. 1. This Doctrine is explained by showing who they are that have their sins forgiven, viz. They that make a sincere confession of them, ver. 2. In whose spirit there is no guile. h. e. one that is sincere and plain hearted in confessing his iniquity. If men hide and excuse sin, that's from guile and hypocrisi•• in the heart▪ so when they make a free and full confession of it before the Lord, and before men too, as God shall call thereunto, that's a good evidence of sincerity, even of one in whose spirit there is no reigning guile. 2. This Doctrine is confirmed by Instancing and producing Davids own experience. He declareth that whilst he […] his sin, he was in a case most miserable, but when he was brought unto a ⟨p. 3⟩free and full confession, God forgive him, […] 3,4,5. And elsewhere we read, that when […] made an humble, penitent acknowledgement of his evils, the Prophet Nathan told him, that God had put away his sin, 2 Sam. 12,13. 3. He maketh application of the Doctrine thus explained and confirmed, by an useful inference therefrom, in the 6. verse. The Use which he makes of it, is plainly this, That Men should be much in Prayer to God, and that every godly man will be so.For this (saith David) h. e. because of this:
THis Psalm is called Maschil of David. And it is the first Psalm which beareth that Inscription: possibly there was an Holy Song, used among the Hebrews of old▪ that di• begin with that word Maschil, and was therefore known by that name, whose Metre was observed in composing and singing this Psalm Likewise by that Title, the scope and main •esign of David therein seemeth to be intimated. For Maschil signifieth ⟨p. 2⟩instruction or understanding. And that was Davids design in this (as in the other Psalms which bear the same ••le) to instruct men, and 〈…〉 them to understand some useful mysterious Truths, which were not obvious unto, or considered by every one. There are two Doctrines which the Prophet doth here instruct men in. One is concerning the difference between Righteous and Wicked men, the happiness of the one, and the misery of the other, ver. 10. The other Doctrine is that which the Psalm begins with, viz. That they are blessed Men whose sins are forgiven, ver. 1,2. And it is worthy our observation, that David having propounded this Doctrine, he doth explain, confirm, and apply it. 1. This Doctrine is explained by shewing who they are that have their sins forgiven, viz. They that make a sincere confession of them, ver. 2. In whose spirit there is no guile. h. e. one that is sincere and plain hearted in confessing his iniquity. If men hide and excuse sin, thats from guile and hypocrisi•• in the heart▪ so when they make a free and full confession of it before the Lord, and before men too, as God shall call thereunto, thats a good evidence of sincerity, even of one in whose spirit there is no reigning guile. 2. This Doctrine is confirmed by Instancing and producing Davids own experience. He declareth that whilst he 〈…〉 his sin, he was in a case most miserable, but when he was brought unto a ⟨p. 3⟩free and full confession, God forgive him, 〈…〉 3,4,5. And elsewhere we read, that when 〈…〉 made an humble, penitent acknowledgement of his vils, the Prophet Nathan told him, that God had put away his sin, 2 Sam. 12,13. 3. He maketh application of the Doctrine thus explained and confirmed, by an useful inference therefrom, in the 6. verse. The Use which he makes of it, is plainly this, That Men should be much in Prayer to God, and that every godly man will be so.For this (saith David) h. e. because of this:
