< Psalms 51 >

1 For the music director. A psalm of David. When Nathan the prophet came to him after he had committed adultery with Bathsheba. God, please be gracious to me, because of your trustworthy love, because of your infinite kindness please wipe away my sins.
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 away all my guilt; cleanse me from my sin.
Wash me clean of my guilt, make me pure of my sin.
3 I admit my rebellion; my sin always stares me in my face.
For well I know my transgressions, my sin is ever before me.
4 I have sinned against you, you alone. I have done evil in your sight. So you are right in what you say, and fair when you judge.
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 It's true that I was born guilty—sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
See! In guilt was I brought to the birth, and in sin did my mother conceive me.
6 But you want truth on the inside; you teach me wisdom deep within.
It’s the innermost truth you desire, give me therefore true wisdom of heart.
7 Purify me with hyssop so I can be clean; wash me so I can be whiter than snow.
Purge me clean with hyssop, wash me whiter than snow.
8 Please let me hear joy and happiness again; let the bones you have crushed be glad once more.
Fill me with joy and gladness, let the bones you have broken rejoice.
9 Turn your face away from looking at my sins; please wipe away my guilt.
Hide your face from my sins, and blot out my guilt altogether.
10 Create a pure mind in me, God, and make me trustworthy again.
Create me a clean heart, O God, put a new steadfast spirit within me.
11 Don't expel me from your presence; don't take away your Holy Spirit from me.
Cast me not forth from your presence, withdraw not your holy spirit.
12 Give me back the happiness of your salvation; help me to have a willing nature.
Give me back the joy of your help, with a willing spirit sustain me.
13 Then I will teach your ways to rebellious people, and these sinners will come back to you.
I will teach your ways to transgressors, and sinners shall turn to you.
14 God, please forgive me for the blood I have shed, God of my salvation, and I will sing for joy of your goodness.
Save me from blood, O God, and my tongue shall ring out your faithfulness.
15 Open my lips so I can speak your praise!
Open my lips, O Lord, and my mouth shall declare your praise.
16 For sacrifices don't make you happy, or I would bring one; burnt offerings aren't what pleases you.
For in sacrifice you have no pleasure, in gifts of burnt-offering no delight.
17 The “sacrifices” that God wants are on the inside—the brokenness of repentance. God won't reject a broken and sorrowful heart.
The sacrifice pleasing to God is a spirit that is broken; a heart that is crushed, O God, you will not despise.
18 Be kind to Zion, help the city; rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
Do good in your pleasure to Zion, build the walls of Jerusalem.
19 Then you will be pleased with sacrifices given in the right spirit, for all kinds of burnt offerings, and bulls sacrificed on your altar once more.
Then will you welcome the due forms of sacrifice, then on your altars shall bullocks be offered.

< Psalms 51 >