Psalms 51
1 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.
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 Wash me yet more from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
Wash me clean of my guilt, make me pure of my sin.
3 For I know my iniquity, and my sin is always before me.
For well I know my transgressions, my sin is ever before me.
4 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.
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 For behold I was conceived in iniquities; and in sins did my mother conceive me.
See! In guilt was I brought to the birth, and in sin did my mother conceive me.
6 For behold thou hast loved truth: the uncertain and hidden things of thy wisdom thou hast made manifest to me.
It’s the innermost truth you desire, give me therefore true wisdom of heart.
7 Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be cleansed: thou shalt wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow.
Purge me clean with hyssop, wash me whiter than snow.
8 To my hearing thou shalt give joy and gladness: and the bones that have been humbled shall rejoice.
Fill me with joy and gladness, let the bones you have broken rejoice.
9 Turn away thy face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.
Hide your face from my sins, and blot out my guilt altogether.
10 Create a clean heart in me, O God: and renew a right spirit within my bowels.
Create me a clean heart, O God, put a new steadfast spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from thy face; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
Cast me not forth from your presence, withdraw not your holy spirit.
12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation, and strengthen me with a perfect spirit.
Give me back the joy of your help, with a willing spirit sustain me.
13 I will teach the unjust thy ways: and the wicked shall be converted to thee.
I will teach your ways to transgressors, and sinners shall turn to you.
14 Deliver me from blood, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall extol thy justice.
Save me from blood, O God, and my tongue shall ring out your faithfulness.
15 O Lord, thou wilt open my lips: and my mouth shall declare thy praise.
Open my lips, O Lord, and my mouth shall declare your praise.
16 For if thou hadst desired sacrifice, I would indeed have given it: with burnt offerings thou wilt not be delighted.
For in sacrifice you have no pleasure, in gifts of burnt-offering no delight.
17 A sacrifice to God is an afflicted spirit: a contrite and humbled heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
The sacrifice pleasing to God is a spirit that is broken; a heart that is crushed, O God, you will not despise.
18 Deal favourably, O Lord, in thy good will with Sion; that the walls of Jerusalem may be built up.
Do good in your pleasure to Zion, build the walls of Jerusalem.
19 Then shalt thou accept the sacrifice of justice, oblations and whole burnt offerings: then shall they lay calves upon thy altar.
Then will you welcome the due forms of sacrifice, then on your altars shall bullocks be offered.
