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.

To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came to him, after he had gone in to Bath-sheba. Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy loving-kindness: according to the multitude of thy tender mercies, 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 done [this] evil in thy sight: that thou mayest be justified when thou speakest, [and] be clear when thou judgest.

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

Behold, I was shapen 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 inward parts: and in the hidden [part] thou shalt make me to know wisdom.

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, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall 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; [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 in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

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 salvation; and uphold me [with thy] free spirit.

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

[Then] will I teach transgressors thy ways; 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 blood-guiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: [and] my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.

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

O LORD, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall 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-offering.

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

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

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

Do good in thy good pleasure to Zion: build thou 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 the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt-offering and whole burnt-offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thy altar.