< Psalms 51 >
1 To the Chief Musician. A Melody of David. When Nathan the Prophet had come to him, after he had gone in unto Bath-sheba. Be favorable unto me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness, And, in the multitude of thy compassions, blot out my transgressions;
2 Thoroughly wash me from mine iniquity, And, from my sin, make me pure;
3 For, my transgressions, do, I, acknowledge, And, my sin, is before me continually:
4 Against thee—against thee alone, have I sinned, And, wickedness—in thine eyes, have I done, —That thou mayest, Be justified when thou speakest, —Be clear when thou judgest.
5 Lo! in iniquity, was I brought forth, And, in sin, did my mother conceive me.
6 Lo! faithfulness, hast thou desired in the inward parts, Yea, in the hidden part, wilt thou cause me to know, wisdom.
7 Wilt thou cleanse me from sin with hyssop, That I may be pure? Wilt thou wash me, That I may be whiter, than snow?
8 Wilt thou cause me to hear joy and gladness? The bones thou hast crushed would exult.
9 Hide thy face from my sins, —And, all mine iniquities, blot out;
10 A pure heart, create for me, O God, And, a steadfast spirit, renew within me.
11 Do not cast me away from thy presence, And, thy Holy Spirit, do not take from me:
12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation, And, with a willing spirit, wilt thou uphold me: —
13 I would teach transgressors thy ways, And, sinners, unto thee, should return.
14 Rescue me from shed-blood, O God, the God of my salvation, My tongue should shout thy righteousness;
15 O My Lord! my lips, wilt thou open, And, my mouth, shall declare thy praise.
16 For thou wilt not desire sacrifice—that I should give it, Ascending-offering, will not please:
17 The sacrifices of God, are a spirit that is broken, —A heart—broken and crushed, O God, thou wilt not despise.
18 Do good, in thy good-pleasure, unto Zion, Wilt thou build the walls of Jerusalem!
19 Then, shalt thou desire the sacrifices of righteousness, Ascending-sacrifice and whole burnt-offering, Then, shall ascend upon thine altar, young bulls.
