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.

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 thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

Wash me clean of my guilt, make me pure of my sin.

3 For I know my transgressions; and my sin is ever before me.

For well I know my transgressions, my sin is ever 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.

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

See! In guilt was I brought to the birth, and in sin did my mother conceive me.

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

It’s the innermost truth you desire, give me therefore true wisdom of heart.

7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Purge me clean with hyssop, wash me whiter than snow.

8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which Thou hast crushed may rejoice.

Fill me with joy and gladness, let the bones you have broken rejoice.

9 Hide Thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.

Hide your face from my sins, and blot out my guilt altogether.

10 Create me a clean heart, O God; and renew a stedfast spirit within me.

Create me a clean heart, O God, put a new steadfast spirit within me.

11 Cast me not away from Thy presence; 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 let a willing spirit uphold me.

Give me back the joy of your help, with a willing spirit sustain me.

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

I will teach your ways to transgressors, and sinners shall turn to you.

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

Save me from blood, O God, and my tongue shall ring out your faithfulness.

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

Open my lips, O Lord, and my mouth shall declare your praise.

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

For in sacrifice you have no pleasure, in gifts of burnt-offering no delight.

17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite 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 Do good in Thy favour unto Zion; build Thou the walls of Jerusalem.

Do good in your pleasure to Zion, build the walls of Jerusalem.

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 will you welcome the due forms of sacrifice, then on your altars shall bullocks be offered.