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.
“To the chief musician, a psalm of David, When Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in unto Bath-sheba'.” Be gracious unto me, O God, according to thy kindness: according to the greatness of thy mercies blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
Wash me thoroughly 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 of my transgressions I have full knowledge; and my sin is before me continually.
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, thee only, have I sinned, and what is evil in thy eyes have I done: —in order that thou mightest be righteous when thou speakest, be justified 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, you love truth: you have manifested to me the secret and hidden things of your wisdom.
Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: therefore do thou cause me to know wisdom in the recesses [of the heart].
7 You shall sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be purified: you shall wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow.
Cleanse me from sin with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8 You shall cause me to hear gladness and joy: the afflicted bones shall rejoice.
Cause me to hear gladness and joy; that the bones which thou hast crushed may rejoice.
9 Turn away your face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
Hide thy face from my sins, and all my iniquities do thou blot out.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit in my inward parts.
Create unto me a clean heart, O God; and a firm spirit renew thou within me.
11 Cast me not away from your presence; and remove not your holy Spirit from me.
Cast me not away from thy presence; and thy holy spirit do not take from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation: establish me with your directing Spirit.
Restore unto me the gladness of thy salvation; and with a liberal spirit do thou support me.—
13 [Then] will I teach transgressors your ways; and ungodly men shall turn to you.
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 your righteousness.
Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation; [that] my tongue may sing aloud of thy righteousness.
15 O Lord, you shall open my lips; and my mouth shall declare your praise.
O Lord, open thou 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 thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: in burnt-offering hast thou no delight.
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, wilt thou not despise.
18 Do good, O Lord, to Sion in your good pleasure; and let the walls of Jerusalem be built.
Do good in thy favor unto Zion; build thou the walls of Jerusalem.
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 wilt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt-offering and entire offering: then shall bullocks be offered upon thy altar.
