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.

For the music director. A psalm of David. When Nathan the prophet came to him after he had committed adultery with Bathsheba. God, please be gracious to me, because of your trustworthy love, because of your infinite kindness please wipe away my sins.

2 Wash me clean of my guilt, make me pure of my sin.

Wash away all my guilt; cleanse me from my sin.

3 For well I know my transgressions, my sin is ever before me.

I admit my rebellion; my sin always stares me in my face.

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.

I have sinned against you, you alone. I have done evil in your sight. So you are right in what you say, and fair when you judge.

5 See! In guilt was I brought to the birth, and in sin did my mother conceive me.

It's true that I was born guilty—sinful from the time my mother conceived me.

6 It’s the innermost truth you desire, give me therefore true wisdom of heart.

But you want truth on the inside; you teach me wisdom deep within.

7 Purge me clean with hyssop, wash me whiter than snow.

Purify me with hyssop so I can be clean; wash me so I can be whiter than snow.

8 Fill me with joy and gladness, let the bones you have broken rejoice.

Please let me hear joy and happiness again; let the bones you have crushed be glad once more.

9 Hide your face from my sins, and blot out my guilt altogether.

Turn your face away from looking at my sins; please wipe away my guilt.

10 Create me a clean heart, O God, put a new steadfast spirit within me.

Create a pure mind in me, God, and make me trustworthy again.

11 Cast me not forth from your presence, withdraw not your holy spirit.

Don't expel me from your presence; don't take away your Holy Spirit from me.

12 Give me back the joy of your help, with a willing spirit sustain me.

Give me back the happiness of your salvation; help me to have a willing nature.

13 I will teach your ways to transgressors, and sinners shall turn to you.

Then I will teach your ways to rebellious people, and these sinners will come back to you.

14 Save me from blood, O God, and my tongue shall ring out your faithfulness.

God, please forgive me for the blood I have shed, God of my salvation, and I will sing for joy of your goodness.

15 Open my lips, O Lord, and my mouth shall declare your praise.

Open my lips so I can speak your praise!

16 For in sacrifice you have no pleasure, in gifts of burnt-offering no delight.

For sacrifices don't make you happy, or I would bring one; burnt offerings aren't what pleases you.

17 The sacrifice pleasing to God is a spirit that is broken; a heart that is crushed, O God, you will not despise.

The “sacrifices” that God wants are on the inside—the brokenness of repentance. God won't reject a broken and sorrowful heart.

18 Do good in your pleasure to Zion, build the walls of Jerusalem.

Be kind to Zion, help the city; rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.

19 Then will you welcome the due forms of sacrifice, then on your altars shall bullocks be offered.

Then you will be pleased with sacrifices given in the right spirit, for all kinds of burnt offerings, and bulls sacrificed on your altar once more.