Psalms 51
1 To the chief music-maker. A Psalm. Of David. When Nathan the prophet came to him, after he had gone in to Bath-sheba. Have pity on me, O God, in your mercy; out of a full heart, take away my sin.
For the leader. A psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet come to him after he had been with Bathsheba. In your kindness, O God, be gracious to me, in your own great pity blot out my transgressions.
2 Let all my wrongdoing be washed away, and make me clean from evil.
Wash me clean of my guilt, make me pure of my sin.
3 For I am conscious of my error; my sin is ever before me.
For well I know my transgressions, my sin is ever before me.
4 Against you, you only, have I done wrong, working that which is evil in your eyes; so that your words may be seen to be right, and you may be clear when you are judging.
Against you, only you, have I sinned, and done that which is wrong in your sight: you therefore are just when you speak, and clear when you utter judgment.
5 Truly, I was formed in evil, and in sin did my mother give me birth.
See! In guilt was I brought to the birth, and in sin did my mother conceive me.
6 Your desire is for what is true in the inner parts: in the secrets of my soul you will give me knowledge of wisdom.
It’s the innermost truth you desire, give me therefore true wisdom of heart.
7 Make me free from sin with hyssop: let me be washed whiter than snow.
Purge me clean with hyssop, wash me whiter than snow.
8 Make me full of joy and rapture; so that the bones which have been broken may be glad.
Fill me with joy and gladness, let the bones you have broken rejoice.
9 Let your face be turned from my wrongdoing, and take away all my sins.
Hide your face from my sins, and blot out my guilt altogether.
10 Make a clean heart in me, O God; give me a right spirit again.
Create me a clean heart, O God, put a new steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not put me away from before you, or take your holy spirit from me.
Cast me not forth from your presence, withdraw not your holy spirit.
12 Give me back the joy of your salvation; let a free spirit be my support.
Give me back the joy of your help, with a willing spirit sustain me.
13 Then will I make your ways clear to wrongdoers; and sinners will be turned to you.
I will teach your ways to transgressors, and sinners shall turn to you.
14 Be my saviour from violent death, O God, the God of my salvation; and my tongue will give praise to your righteousness.
Save me from blood, O God, and my tongue shall ring out your faithfulness.
15 O Lord, let my lips be open, so that my mouth may make clear your praise.
Open my lips, O Lord, and my mouth shall declare your praise.
16 You have no desire for an offering or I would give it; you have no delight in burned offerings.
For in sacrifice you have no pleasure, in gifts of burnt-offering no delight.
17 The offerings of God are a broken spirit; a broken and sorrowing heart, O God, you will not put from you.
The sacrifice pleasing to God is a spirit that is broken; a heart that is crushed, O God, you will not despise.
18 Do good to Zion in your good pleasure, building up the walls of Jerusalem.
Do good in your pleasure to Zion, build the walls of Jerusalem.
19 Then you will have delight in the offerings of righteousness, in burned offerings and offerings of beasts; then they will make offerings of oxen on your altar.
Then will you welcome the due forms of sacrifice, then on your altars shall bullocks be offered.
