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.

To the Overseer. — A Psalm of David, in the coming in unto him of Nathan the prophet, when he hath gone in unto Bath-Sheba. Favour me, O God, according to Thy kindness, According to the abundance of Thy mercies, Blot out my transgressions.

2 Let all my wrongdoing be washed away, and make me clean from evil.

Thoroughly wash me from mine iniquity, And from my sin cleanse me,

3 For I am conscious of my error; my sin is ever before me.

For my transgressions I do know, And my sin [is] before me continually.

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 Thee, Thee only, I have sinned, And done the evil thing in Thine eyes, So that Thou art righteous in Thy words, Thou art pure in Thy judging.

5 Truly, I was formed in evil, and in sin did my mother give me birth.

Lo, in iniquity I have been brought forth, And in sin doth 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.

Lo, truth Thou hast desired in the inward parts, And in the hidden part Wisdom Thou causest me to know.

7 Make me free from sin with hyssop: let me be washed whiter than snow.

Thou cleansest me with hyssop and I am clean, Washest me, and than snow I am whiter.

8 Make me full of joy and rapture; so that the bones which have been broken may be glad.

Thou causest me to hear joy and gladness, Thou makest joyful bones Thou hast bruised.

9 Let your face be turned from my wrongdoing, and take away all my sins.

Hide Thy face from my sin. And all mine iniquities blot out.

10 Make a clean heart in me, O God; give me a right spirit again.

A clean heart prepare for me, O God, And a right spirit renew within me.

11 Do not put me away from before you, or take your holy spirit from me.

Cast me not forth from Thy presence, And Thy Holy Spirit take not from me.

12 Give me back the joy of your salvation; let a free spirit be my support.

Restore to me the joy of Thy salvation, And a willing spirit doth sustain me.

13 Then will I make your ways clear to wrongdoers; and sinners will be turned to you.

I teach transgressors Thy ways, And sinners unto Thee do return.

14 Be my saviour from violent death, O God, the God of my salvation; and my tongue will give praise to your righteousness.

Deliver me from blood, O God, God of my salvation, My tongue singeth of Thy righteousness.

15 O Lord, let my lips be open, so that my mouth may make clear your praise.

O Lord, my lips thou dost open, And my mouth declareth Thy praise.

16 You have no desire for an offering or I would give it; you have no delight in burned offerings.

For Thou desirest not sacrifice, or I give [it], Burnt-offering Thou acceptest not.

17 The offerings of God are a broken spirit; a broken and sorrowing heart, O God, you will not put from you.

The sacrifices of God [are] a broken spirit, A heart broken and bruised, O God, Thou dost not despise.

18 Do good to Zion in your good pleasure, building up the walls of Jerusalem.

Do good in Thy good pleasure with Zion, Thou dost 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 Thou desirest sacrifices of righteousness, Burnt-offering, and whole burnt-offering, Then they offer bullocks on thine altar!