Psalms 51
1 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to your loving kindness: according unto the multitude of your tender mercies 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 acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
For well I know my transgressions, my sin is ever before me.
4 Against you, you only, have I sinned, and done this evil in your sight: that you might be justified when you speak, and be clear 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 Behold, I was formed 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, you desire truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part you shall make me to know wisdom.
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 you have broken may rejoice.
Fill me with joy and gladness, let the bones you have broken rejoice.
9 Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
Hide your face from my sins, and blot out my guilt altogether.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
Create me a clean heart, O God, put a new steadfast spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from your presence; and take not your holy spirit from me.
Cast me not forth from your presence, withdraw not your holy spirit.
12 Restore unto me the joy of your salvation; and uphold me with your free spirit.
Give me back the joy of your help, with a willing spirit sustain me.
13 Then will I teach transgressors your ways; and sinners shall be converted unto you.
I will teach your ways to transgressors, and sinners shall turn to you.
14 Deliver me from blood guiltiness, O God, you God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of your righteousness.
Save me from blood, O God, and my tongue shall ring out your faithfulness.
15 O Lord, open you my lips; and my mouth shall show forth your praise.
Open my lips, O Lord, and my mouth shall declare your praise.
16 For you desire not sacrifice; else would I give it: you delight not 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, you will 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 your good pleasure unto Zion: build you the walls of Jerusalem.
Do good in your pleasure to Zion, build the walls of Jerusalem.
19 Then shall you be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon your altar.
Then will you welcome the due forms of sacrifice, then on your altars shall bullocks be offered.
