< Psalms 51 >
1 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy loving kindness. According to the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.
4 Against thee, thee only, I have sinned, and done that which is evil in thy sight, that thou may be justified when thou speak, and may prevail when thou are criticized.
5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me.
6 Behold, thou desire truth in the inward parts, and in the hidden part thou will make me to know wisdom.
7 Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean. Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8 Make me to hear joy and gladness, that the bones which thou have broken may rejoice.
9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from thy presence, and take not thy holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of thy salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.
13 Then I will teach transgressors thy ways, and sinners shall be converted to thee.
14 Deliver me from blood guiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation. And my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.
15 O Lord, open thou my lips, and my mouth shall show forth thy praise.
16 For thou delight not in sacrifice, else I would give it. Thou have no pleasure in burnt offering.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit. A broken and contrite heart, O God, thou will not despise.
18 Do good in thy good pleasure to Zion. Build thou the walls of Jerusalem.
19 Then thou will delight in the sacrifices of righteousness, in burnt offering and in whole burnt offering. Then they will offer bullocks upon thine altar.