A psalm written by David, a psalm which will help people to be wise

1Those whom God has forgiven for rebelling against him, whose stains [MET] of sin have been wiped away,
are truly blessed by God!

2Those whose record of their sins Yahweh has erased, those who no longer do deceitful things,
are truly blessed by God!

3When I did not confess my sins, ◄my body/I► was very weak and sick,
and I groaned ◄all day long/continually►.

4Day and night, Yahweh, you [SYN] punished me severely. My strength drained away like water that ◄evaporates/dries up► on a hot summer day. (Think about that!)

5Then/Finally I admitted/confessed my sins to you; I stopped trying to hide them. (Think about that!) I said to myself, “I will confess to Yahweh the wrong things that I have done.” And when I confessed them, you forgave me, so now I ◄am no longer guilty/will no longer be punished► for my sins.

6Therefore, the people who are godly should pray to you when they ◄realize that they have sinned/have difficulties►. If they pray to you, difficulties [MET] will not overwhelm them like a great flood.

7You are like a place where I can hide from my enemies [MET], you protect me from troubles,
and you ◄enable me/put people around me who will enable me► to shout, praising you for saving me from my enemies. (Think about that!)

8Yahweh says, “I will teach you about how you should conduct your life. I will instruct you and watch over you.

9Do not be stupid like horses and mules that do not have understanding; they need ◄bits/pieces of metal put in their mouths► and ◄bridles/ropes fastened to their head►
so they will go in the direction you want them to go.”

10Wicked people will have many troubles that will make them sad, but those who trust in Yahweh will experience him faithfully loving them all the time.

11So, all you righteous people, rejoice about what Yahweh has done for you; you whose ◄inner beings/lives► are pure, be glad and shout joyfully!