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!

Have mercy upon me, O God, according to your loving kindness: according unto the multitude of your tender mercies blot out my transgressions.

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

Wash me thoroughly from mine 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 acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever 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].

Against you, you only, have I sinned, and done this evil in your sight: that you might be justified when you speak, and be clear when you judge.

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

Behold, I was formed in iniquity; and in sin 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.

Behold, you desire truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part you shall make me to know wisdom.

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).

Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be 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].

Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which you have broken may 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.

Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.

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

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

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 your presence; and take not your 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 your salvation; and uphold me with your free 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.

Then will I teach transgressors your ways; and sinners shall be converted unto you.

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 guiltiness, O God, you God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of your righteousness.

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

O Lord, open you my lips; and my mouth shall show forth your 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 you desire not sacrifice; else would I give it: you delight not in burnt offering.

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.

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

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

Do good in your good pleasure unto Zion: build you the walls of Jerusalem.

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 shall you be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon your altar.