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.

“For the leader of the music. A psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after his intercourse with Bathsheba.” Be gracious unto me, O God! according to thy loving kindness; According to the greatness of thy mercy, blot out my transgressions!

2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

Wash me thoroughly 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 acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is ever 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.

Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, And in thy sight have I done evil; So that thou art just in thy sentence, And righteous in thy judgment.

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

Behold! I was born in iniquity, And in sin 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].

Behold! thou desirest truth in the heart; So teach me wisdom in my inmost soul!

7 Cleanse me from sin with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Purge me with hyssop, until I be clean; Wash me, until I be whiter than snow!

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

Make me to hear joy and gladness, So that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice!

9 Hide thy face from my sins, and all my iniquities do thou blot out.

Hide 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 within me a clean heart, O God! Renew within me a steadfast spirit!

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

Cast me not away from thy presence, 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 to me the joy of thy protection, And strengthen me with a willing spirit!

13 I will teach transgressors thy ways, and sinners shall return unto thee.

Then will I teach thy ways to transgressors, And sinners 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 the guilt of blood, O God, the God of my salvation! That my tongue may sing aloud of thy goodness!

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

O Lord! open thou my lips, That my mouth may show forth thy praise!

16 For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: in burnt-offering hast thou no delight.

For thou desirest not sacrifice, else would I give it; Thou delightest not in burnt-offerings.

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

The sacrifice which God loveth is a broken spirit; A broken and contrite heart, O God! thou wilt not despise!

18 Do good in thy favor unto Zion; build thou the walls of Jerusalem.

Do good to Zion according to thy mercy; Build up the walls of Jerusalem!

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 be pleased with sacrifices of righteousness, With burnt-offerings and complete offerings; Then shall bullocks be offered upon thine altar.