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 your great mercy; and according to the multitude of your compassions blot out my transgression.

Unto the end, a psalm of David, When Nathan the prophet came to him after he had sinned with Bethsabee. Have mercy on me, O God, according to thy great mercy. And according to the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my iniquity.

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

Wash me yet more from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

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

For I know my iniquity, and my sin is always before me.

4 Against you only have I sinned, and done evil before you: that you might be justified in your sayings, and might overcome when you are judged.

To thee only have I sinned, and have done evil before thee: that thou mayst be justified in thy words and mayst overcome when thou art judged.

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

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

6 For, behold, you love truth: you have manifested to me the secret and hidden things of your wisdom.

For behold thou hast loved truth: the uncertain and hidden things of thy wisdom thou hast made manifest to me.

7 You shall sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be purified: you shall wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow.

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

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

To my hearing thou shalt give joy and gladness: and the bones that have been humbled shall rejoice.

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

Turn away 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 in my inward parts.

Create a clean heart in me, O God: and renew a right spirit within my bowels.

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

Cast me not away from thy face; and take not thy holy spirit from me.

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

Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation, and strengthen me with a perfect spirit.

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

I will teach the unjust thy ways: and the wicked shall be converted to thee.

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

Deliver me from blood, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall extol thy justice.

15 O Lord, you shall open my lips; and my mouth shall declare your praise.

O Lord, thou wilt open my lips: and my mouth shall declare thy praise.

16 For if you desired sacrifice, I would have given [it]: you will not take pleasure in whole burnt offerings.

For if thou hadst desired sacrifice, I would indeed have given it: with burnt offerings thou wilt not be delighted.

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

A sacrifice to God is an afflicted spirit: a contrite and humbled heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

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

Deal favourably, O Lord, in thy good will with Sion; that the walls of Jerusalem may be built up.

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

Then shalt thou accept the sacrifice of justice, oblations and whole burnt offerings: then shall they lay calves upon thy altar.