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.
To the Chief Musician. A Melody of David. When Nathan the Prophet had come to him, after he had gone in unto Bath-sheba. Be favorable unto me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness, And, in the multitude of thy compassions, blot out my transgressions;
2 Wash away all my guilt; cleanse me from my sin.
Thoroughly wash me from mine iniquity, And, from my sin, make me pure;
3 I admit my rebellion; my sin always stares me in my face.
For, my transgressions, do, I, acknowledge, And, my sin, is before me continually:
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 thee—against thee alone, have I sinned, And, wickedness—in thine eyes, have I done, —That thou mayest, Be justified when thou speakest, —Be clear when thou judgest.
5 It's true that I was born guilty—sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
Lo! in iniquity, was I brought forth, And, in sin, did my mother conceive me.
6 But you want truth on the inside; you teach me wisdom deep within.
Lo! faithfulness, hast thou desired in the inward parts, Yea, in the hidden part, wilt thou cause me to know, wisdom.
7 Purify me with hyssop so I can be clean; wash me so I can be whiter than snow.
Wilt thou cleanse me from sin with hyssop, That I may be pure? Wilt thou wash me, That I may be whiter, than snow?
8 Please let me hear joy and happiness again; let the bones you have crushed be glad once more.
Wilt thou cause me to hear joy and gladness? The bones thou hast crushed would exult.
9 Turn your face away from looking at my sins; please wipe away my guilt.
Hide thy face from my sins, —And, all mine iniquities, blot out;
10 Create a pure mind in me, God, and make me trustworthy again.
A pure heart, create for me, O God, And, a steadfast spirit, renew within me.
11 Don't expel me from your presence; don't take away your Holy Spirit from me.
Do not cast me away from thy presence, And, thy Holy Spirit, do not take from me:
12 Give me back the happiness of your salvation; help me to have a willing nature.
Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation, And, with a willing spirit, wilt thou uphold me: —
13 Then I will teach your ways to rebellious people, and these sinners will come back to you.
I would teach transgressors thy ways, And, sinners, unto thee, should return.
14 God, please forgive me for the blood I have shed, God of my salvation, and I will sing for joy of your goodness.
Rescue me from shed-blood, O God, the God of my salvation, My tongue should shout thy righteousness;
15 Open my lips so I can speak your praise!
O My Lord! my lips, wilt thou open, And, my mouth, shall declare thy praise.
16 For sacrifices don't make you happy, or I would bring one; burnt offerings aren't what pleases you.
For thou wilt not desire sacrifice—that I should give it, Ascending-offering, will not please:
17 The “sacrifices” that God wants are on the inside—the brokenness of repentance. God won't reject a broken and sorrowful heart.
The sacrifices of God, are a spirit that is broken, —A heart—broken and crushed, O God, thou wilt not despise.
18 Be kind to Zion, help the city; rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
Do good, in thy good-pleasure, unto Zion, Wilt thou 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, shalt thou desire the sacrifices of righteousness, Ascending-sacrifice and whole burnt-offering, Then, shall ascend upon thine altar, young bulls.
