Matthew Poole and continuators on Deuteronomy 21:8

8 Be merciful, O LORD, unto thy people Israel whom thou hast redeemed, and lay not innocent blood unto thy people of Israels charge: and the blood shall be forgiven them .

(i. e.) Not imputed to them nor punished in them: for God is sometimes said to forgive, when he doth not punish, as Psal. 78. 38. Besides though there was no moral guilt in this people, yet there was a ceremonial uncleanness in the land, which was to be expiated and forgiven.

Marginal references: Judg. 9. 2[illegible: 1+ letters].; Heb. in the midst.