Psalms 51
1 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.
Unto the end. A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came to him, after he went to Bathsheba. Be merciful to me, O God, according to your great mercy. And, according to the plentitude of your compassion, wipe out my iniquity.
2 Wash me clean of my guilt, make me pure of my sin.
Wash me once again from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
3 For well I know my transgressions, my sin is ever before me.
For I know my iniquity, and my sin is ever before me.
4 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.
Against you only have I sinned, and I have done evil before your eyes. And so, you are justified in your words, and you will prevail when you give judgment.
5 See! In guilt was I brought to the birth, and in sin did my mother conceive me.
For behold, I was conceived in iniquities, and in sinfulness did my mother conceive me.
6 It’s the innermost truth you desire, give me therefore true wisdom of heart.
For behold, you have loved truth. The obscure and hidden things of your wisdom, you have manifested to me.
7 Purge me clean with hyssop, wash me whiter than snow.
You will sprinkle me with hyssop, and I will be cleansed. You will wash me, and I will be made whiter than snow.
8 Fill me with joy and gladness, let the bones you have broken rejoice.
In my hearing, you will grant gladness and rejoicing. And the bones that have been humbled will exult.
9 Hide your face from my sins, and blot out my guilt altogether.
Turn your face away from my sins, and erase all my iniquities.
10 Create me a clean heart, O God, put a new steadfast spirit within me.
Create a clean heart in me, O God. And renew an upright spirit within my inmost being.
11 Cast me not forth from your presence, withdraw not your holy spirit.
Do not cast me away from your face; and do not take your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Give me back the joy of your help, with a willing spirit sustain me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and confirm me with an unsurpassed spirit.
13 I will teach your ways to transgressors, and sinners shall turn to you.
I will teach the unjust your ways, and the impious will be converted to you.
14 Save me from blood, O God, and my tongue shall ring out your faithfulness.
Free me from blood, O God, the God of my salvation, and my tongue will extol your justice.
15 Open my lips, O Lord, and my mouth shall declare your praise.
O Lord, you will open my lips, and my mouth will announce your praise.
16 For in sacrifice you have no pleasure, in gifts of burnt-offering no delight.
For if you had desired sacrifice, I would certainly have given it, but with holocausts, you will not be delighted.
17 The sacrifice pleasing to God is a spirit that is broken; a heart that is crushed, O God, you will not despise.
A crushed spirit is a sacrifice to God. A contrite and humbled heart, O God, you will not spurn.
18 Do good in your pleasure to Zion, build the walls of Jerusalem.
Act kindly, Lord, in your good will toward Zion, so that the walls of Jerusalem may be built up.
19 Then will you welcome the due forms of sacrifice, then on your altars shall bullocks be offered.
Then you will accept the sacrifice of justice, oblations, and holocausts. Then they will lay calves upon your altar.
