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!

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.

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

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

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

For well I know my transgressions, 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, 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.

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

See! In guilt was I brought to the birth, 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.

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

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 clean with hyssop, wash me 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].

Fill me with joy and gladness, let the bones you have broken 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 my guilt altogether.

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

Create me a clean heart, O God, put a new steadfast 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 forth from your presence, withdraw not your holy spirit.

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].

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

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 your ways to transgressors, and sinners shall turn to 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.

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

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

Open my lips, O Lord, and my mouth shall declare 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 in sacrifice you have no pleasure, in gifts of burnt-offering no delight.

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 sacrifice pleasing to God is a spirit that is broken; a heart that is crushed, 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 pleasure to Zion, build 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 will you welcome the due forms of sacrifice, then on your altars shall bullocks be offered.