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!

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

Thoroughly wash me from mine iniquity, And, from my sin, make me pure;

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

For, my transgressions, do, I, acknowledge, And, my sin, is before me continually:

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

Lo! in iniquity, was I brought forth, 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.

Lo! faithfulness, hast thou desired in the inward parts, Yea, in the hidden part, wilt thou cause 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).

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

Wilt thou cause me to hear joy and gladness? The bones thou hast crushed would exult.

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 thy face from my sins, —And, all mine iniquities, blot out;

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

A pure heart, create for me, O God, And, a steadfast spirit, renew within me.

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

Do not cast me away from thy presence, And, thy Holy Spirit, do not take 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, with a willing spirit, wilt thou uphold 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 would teach transgressors thy ways, And, sinners, unto thee, should return.

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.

Rescue me from shed-blood, O God, the God of my salvation, My tongue should shout thy righteousness;

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

O My Lord! my lips, wilt thou open, 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 thou wilt not desire sacrifice—that I should give it, Ascending-offering, will not please:

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 spirit that is broken, —A heart—broken and crushed, 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.

Do good, in thy good-pleasure, unto Zion, Wilt thou 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, shalt thou desire the sacrifices of righteousness, Ascending-sacrifice and whole burnt-offering, Then, shall ascend upon thine altar, young bulls.