Psalms 51

1 For the end, a Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came to him, when he had gone to Bersabee. Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy great mercy; and according to the multitude of thy compassions blot out my transgression.

To the chief Musician. A Psalm of David; when Nathan the prophet came to him, after he had gone in to Bath-sheba. Be gracious unto me, O God, according to thy loving-kindness; according to the abundance of thy tender mercies, blot out my transgressions.

2 Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

Wash me fully from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

3 For I am conscious of mine iniquity; and my sin is continually before me.

For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is continually before me.

4 Against thee only have I sinned, and done evil before thee: that thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.

Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done what is evil in thy sight; that thou mayest be justified when thou speakest, be clear when thou judgest.

5 For, behold, I was conceived in iniquities, and in sins did my mother conceive me.

Behold, in iniquity was I brought forth, and in sin did my mother conceive me.

6 For, behold, thou lovest truth: thou hast manifested to me the secret and hidden things of thy wisdom.

Behold, thou wilt have truth in the inward parts; and in the hidden [part] thou wilt make me to know wisdom.

7 Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be purified: thou shalt wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow.

Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

8 Thou shalt cause me to hear gladness and joy: the afflicted bones shall rejoice.

Make me to hear gladness and joy; [that] the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.

9 Turn away thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.

Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit in my inward parts.

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and remove not thy holy Spirit from me.

Cast me not away from thy presence, and take not the spirit of thy holiness from me.

12 Restore to me the joy of thy salvation: establish me with thy directing Spirit.

Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation, and let a willing spirit sustain me.

13 [Then] will I teach transgressors thy ways; and ungodly men shall turn to thee.

I will teach transgressors thy ways, and sinners shall return unto thee.

14 Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation: [and] my tongue shall joyfully declare thy righteousness.

Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.

15 O Lord, thou shalt open my lips; and my mouth shall declare thy praise.

Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare thy praise.

16 For if thou desiredst sacrifice, I would have given [it]: thou wilt not take pleasure in whole-burnt-offerings.

For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou hast no pleasure in burnt-offering.

17 Sacrifice to God is a broken spirit: a broken and humbled heart God will not despise.

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

18 Do good, O Lord, to Sion in thy good pleasure; and let the walls of Jerusalem be built.

Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion; build the walls of Jerusalem.

19 Then shalt thou be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, offering, and whole-burnt-sacrifices: then shall they offer calves upon thine altar.

Then shalt thou have sacrifices of righteousness, burnt-offering, and whole burnt-offering; then shall they offer up bullocks upon thine altar.