Psalms 51

1 For the Leader. A Psalm of David; When Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bath-sheba. Be gracious unto me, O God, according to Thy mercy; according to the multitude of Thy compassions blot out my transgressions.

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 know my transgressions; and my sin is ever before me.

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

4 Against Thee, Thee only, have I sinned, and done that which is evil in Thy sight; that Thou mayest be justified when Thou speakest, and be in the right when Thou judgest.

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 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.

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

6 Behold, Thou desirest truth in the inward parts; make me, therefore, to know wisdom in mine inmost heart.

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

7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be 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 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which Thou hast crushed may rejoice.

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

9 Hide Thy 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 me a clean heart, O God; and renew a stedfast spirit within me.

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

11 Cast me not away from Thy presence; and take not Thy holy spirit from me.

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

12 Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation; and let a willing spirit uphold me.

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

13 Then will I teach transgressors Thy ways; and sinners shall return unto Thee.

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

14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, Thou God of my salvation; so shall my tongue sing aloud of Thy righteousness.

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

15 O Lord, open Thou my lips; and my mouth shall declare Thy praise.

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

16 For Thou delightest not in sacrifice, else would I give it; Thou hast no pleasure in burnt-offering.

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

17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise.

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

18 Do good in Thy favour unto Zion; build Thou the walls of Jerusalem.

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

19 Then wilt Thou delight in the sacrifices of righteousness, in burnt-offering and whole offering; then will they offer bullocks upon Thine altar.

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