Psalms 51

1 “To the chief musician, a psalm of David, When Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in unto Bath-sheba'.” Be gracious unto me, O God, according to thy kindness: according to the greatness of thy mercies 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 my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

Wash me yet more from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

3 For of my transgressions I have full knowledge; and my sin is before me continually.

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

4 To thee, thee only, have I sinned, and what is evil in thy eyes have I done: —in order that thou mightest be righteous when thou speakest, be justified 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, in iniquity was I brought forth; 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: therefore do thou cause me to know wisdom in the recesses [of the heart].

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

7 Cleanse me from sin 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 Cause me to hear gladness and joy; 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 all my iniquities do thou blot out.

Turn away thy face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.

10 Create unto me a clean heart, O God; and a firm spirit renew thou 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 thy holy spirit do not take from me.

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

12 Restore unto me the gladness of thy salvation; and with a liberal spirit do thou support me.—

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

13 I will 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 blood-guiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation; [that] my tongue may 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 desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: in burnt-offering hast thou no delight.

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, wilt thou 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 favor 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 be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt-offering and entire offering: then shall bullocks be offered upon thy altar.

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