Psalms 51

1 O God, be merciful to me, because you love me faithfully; because you are very merciful, erase [the record of] the ways that I disobeyed you!

Unto the end, a psalm of David, When Nathan the prophet came to him after he had sinned with Bethsabee. Have mercy on me, O God, according to thy great mercy. And according to the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my iniquity.

2 Make me pure from the wrong things that I have done; make me clean from [the guilt of] my sin.

Wash me yet more from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

3 [I say that] because I know the ways that I have disobeyed you; I cannot forget them.

For I know my iniquity, and my sin is always before me.

4 You, you only, are the one that I have [really] sinned against, and you have seen the evil things that I have done. When you say that I am guilty, you are right/correct, and when you judge me, you justly say [that I deserve to be punished].

To thee only have I sinned, and have done evil before thee: that thou mayst be justified in thy words and mayst overcome when thou art judged.

5 I have been a sinner since the day that I was born; [truly], I have been like that since my mother conceived me.

For behold I was conceived in iniquities; and in sins did my mother conceive me.

6 What you desire is that I desire what is true in order that you [can] teach me how to act wisely.

For behold thou hast loved truth: the uncertain and hidden things of thy wisdom thou hast made manifest to me.

7 Purify me from the guilt of my sins, and [after that happens], I will be clean [in my inner being]; cleanse me, and [then in my inner being] I will be (whiter than snow/very clean).

Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be cleansed: thou shalt wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow.

8 Allow/Cause me to be joyful [DOU] again; you have (crushed my spirit/completely discouraged me) [MTY]; [but now] let me rejoice [again].

To my hearing thou shalt give joy and gladness: and the bones that have been humbled shall rejoice.

9 Do not continue to look at the sins [IDM] that I have committed; erase the record of the evil things that I have done.

Turn away thy face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.

10 O God, cause my inner being to be pure. Put new [thoughts] within me and make me faithful again.

Create a clean heart in me, O God: and renew a right spirit within my bowels.

11 Do not send me away from you [because of my sin], and do not take your Holy Spirit from me.

Cast me not away from thy face; and take not thy holy spirit from me.

12 Cause/Allow me to be happy again because of [knowing] that you have freed me [from the guilt of my sin], and make me willing [to obey you].

Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation, and strengthen me with a perfect spirit.

13 If you do that, I will [be able to] teach [other] sinners what you want them to do, and they will repent and begin to obey you.

I will teach the unjust thy ways: and the wicked shall be converted to thee.

14 O God, you are the one who saves me; forgive me for being guilty of causing someone [who was not my enemy] to die. [When you do that], I will sing joyfully about your being very good and righteous.

Deliver me from blood, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall extol thy justice.

15 O Yahweh, help me to speak [in order that] I may praise you.

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

16 You are not pleased [only] with the sacrifices [that people bring to you]. If that were [enough to] please you, I would bring you sacrifices. You are not pleased with burnt offerings [alone].

For if thou hadst desired sacrifice, I would indeed have given it: with burnt offerings thou wilt not be delighted.

17 The sacrifice that you [really] want is for people to be truly humble and sorry [for having sinned]; O God, you will not refuse that kind of sacrifice.

A sacrifice to God is an afflicted spirit: a contrite and humbled heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

18 [O God], be good to [the people who live in] Jerusalem [MTY], [and help them] to rebuild the city walls.

Deal favourably, O Lord, in thy good will with Sion; that the walls of Jerusalem may be built up.

19 When that happens, [they will bring you] the proper sacrifices, animals that they will completely burn, young bulls that they will burn on your altar, and you will be pleased.

Then shalt thou accept the sacrifice of justice, oblations and whole burnt offerings: then shall they lay calves upon thy altar.