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.
O God, be merciful to me, because you love me faithfully; because you are very merciful, erase [the record of] the ways that I disobeyed you!
2 Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
Make me pure from the wrong things that I have done; make me clean from [the guilt of] my sin.
3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
[I say that] because I know the ways that I have disobeyed you; I cannot forget them.
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.
You, you only, are the one that I have [really] sinned against, and you have seen the evil things that I have done. When you say that I am guilty, you are right/correct, and when you judge me, you justly say [that I deserve to be punished].
5 Behold, I was formed in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
I have been a sinner since the day that I was born; [truly], I have been like that since my mother conceived me.
6 Behold, you desire truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part you shall make me to know wisdom.
What you desire is that I desire what is true in order that you [can] teach me how to act wisely.
7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Purify me from the guilt of my sins, and [after that happens], I will be clean [in my inner being]; cleanse me, and [then in my inner being] I will be (whiter than snow/very clean).
8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which you have broken may rejoice.
Allow/Cause me to be joyful [DOU] again; you have (crushed my spirit/completely discouraged me) [MTY]; [but now] let me rejoice [again].
9 Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
Do not continue to look at the sins [IDM] that I have committed; erase the record of the evil things that I have done.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
O God, cause my inner being to be pure. Put new [thoughts] within me and make me faithful again.
11 Cast me not away from your presence; and take not your holy spirit from me.
Do not send me away from you [because of my sin], and do not take your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore unto me the joy of your salvation; and uphold me with your free spirit.
Cause/Allow me to be happy again because of [knowing] that you have freed me [from the guilt of my sin], and make me willing [to obey you].
13 Then will I teach transgressors your ways; and sinners shall be converted unto you.
If you do that, I will [be able to] teach [other] sinners what you want them to do, and they will repent and begin to obey you.
14 Deliver me from blood guiltiness, O God, you God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of your righteousness.
O God, you are the one who saves me; forgive me for being guilty of causing someone [who was not my enemy] to die. [When you do that], I will sing joyfully about your being very good and righteous.
15 O Lord, open you my lips; and my mouth shall show forth your praise.
O Yahweh, help me to speak [in order that] I may praise you.
16 For you desire not sacrifice; else would I give it: you delight not in burnt offering.
You are not pleased [only] with the sacrifices [that people bring to you]. If that were [enough to] please you, I would bring you sacrifices. You are not pleased with burnt offerings [alone].
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
The sacrifice that you [really] want is for people to be truly humble and sorry [for having sinned]; O God, you will not refuse that kind of sacrifice.
18 Do good in your good pleasure unto Zion: build you the walls of Jerusalem.
[O God], be good to [the people who live in] Jerusalem [MTY], [and help them] to rebuild the city walls.
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.
When that happens, [they will bring you] the proper sacrifices, animals that they will completely burn, young bulls that they will burn on your altar, and you will be pleased.
