Psalms 51

1 To the Overseer. — A Psalm of David, in the coming in unto him of Nathan the prophet, when he hath gone in unto Bath-Sheba. Favour me, O God, according to Thy kindness, According to the abundance of Thy mercies, Blot out my transgressions.

For the end, a Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came to him, when he had gone to Bersabee. Have mercy upon me, O God, according to your great mercy; and according to the multitude of your compassions blot out my transgression.

2 Thoroughly wash me from mine iniquity, And from my sin cleanse me,

Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

3 For my transgressions I do know, And my sin [is] before me continually.

For I am conscious of mine iniquity; and my sin is continually before me.

4 Against Thee, Thee only, I have sinned, And done the evil thing in Thine eyes, So that Thou art righteous in Thy words, Thou art pure in Thy judging.

Against you only have I sinned, and done evil before you: that you might be justified in your sayings, and might overcome when you are judged.

5 Lo, in iniquity I have been brought forth, And in sin doth my mother conceive me.

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

6 Lo, truth Thou hast desired in the inward parts, And in the hidden part Wisdom Thou causest me to know.

For, behold, you love truth: you have manifested to me the secret and hidden things of your wisdom.

7 Thou cleansest me with hyssop and I am clean, Washest me, and than snow I am whiter.

You shall sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be purified: you shall wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow.

8 Thou causest me to hear joy and gladness, Thou makest joyful bones Thou hast bruised.

You shall cause me to hear gladness and joy: the afflicted bones shall rejoice.

9 Hide Thy face from my sin. And all mine iniquities blot out.

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

10 A clean heart prepare for me, O God, And a right spirit renew within me.

Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit in my inward parts.

11 Cast me not forth from Thy presence, And Thy Holy Spirit take not from me.

Cast me not away from your presence; and remove not your holy Spirit from me.

12 Restore to me the joy of Thy salvation, And a willing spirit doth sustain me.

Restore to me the joy of your salvation: establish me with your directing Spirit.

13 I teach transgressors Thy ways, And sinners unto Thee do return.

[Then] will I teach transgressors your ways; and ungodly men shall turn to you.

14 Deliver me from blood, O God, God of my salvation, My tongue singeth of Thy righteousness.

Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation: [and] my tongue shall joyfully declare your righteousness.

15 O Lord, my lips thou dost open, And my mouth declareth Thy praise.

O Lord, you shall open my lips; and my mouth shall declare your praise.

16 For Thou desirest not sacrifice, or I give [it], Burnt-offering Thou acceptest not.

For if you desired sacrifice, I would have given [it]: you will not take pleasure in whole burnt offerings.

17 The sacrifices of God [are] a broken spirit, A heart broken and bruised, O God, Thou dost not despise.

Sacrifice to God is a broken spirit: a broken and humbled heart God will not despise.

18 Do good in Thy good pleasure with Zion, Thou dost build the walls of Jerusalem.

Do good, O Lord, to Sion in your good pleasure; and let the walls of Jerusalem be built.

19 Then Thou desirest sacrifices of righteousness, Burnt-offering, and whole burnt-offering, Then they offer bullocks on thine altar!

Then shall you be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, offering, and whole burnt sacrifices: then shall they offer calves upon your altar.