Marmaduke Pickthall, The Meaning of The Glorious Koran. An Explanatory Translation (1930)

25. (David) said: He hath wronged thee in demanding thine ewe in addition to his ewes, and lo! many partners oppress one another, save such as believe and do good works, and they are few. And David guessed that We had tried him, and he sought forgiveness of his Lord, and he bowed himself and fell down prostrate and repented.

26. So We forgave him that; and lo! he had access to Our presence and a happy journey’s end.

27. (And it was said unto him): O David! Lo! We have set thee as a viceroy in the earth; therefor judge aright between mankind, and follow not desire that it beguile thee from the way of Allah. Lo! those who wander from the way of Allah have an awful doom, forasmuch as they forgot the Day of Reckoning.

28. And We created not the heaven and the earth and all that is between them in vain. That is the opinion of those who disbelieve. And woe unto those who disbelieve, from the Fire!

29. Shall We treat those who believe and do good works as those who spread corruption in the earth; or shall We treat the pious as the wicked?

30. (This is) a Scripture that We have revealed unto thee, full of blessing, that they may ponder its revelations, and that men of understanding may reflect.

31. And We bestowed on David, Solomon. How excellent a slave! Lo! he was ever turning in repentance (toward Allah).

32. When there were shown to him at eventide light-footed coursers

33. And he said: Lo! I have preferred the good things (of the world) to the remembrance of my Lord; till they were taken out of sight behind the curtain.

34. (Then he said): Bring them back to me, and fell to slashing (with his sword their) legs and necks.