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.

To the chief Musician. A Psalm of David; when Nathan the prophet came to him, after he had gone in to Bath-sheba. Be gracious unto me, O God, according to thy loving-kindness; according to the abundance of thy tender mercies, blot out my transgressions.

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

Wash me fully 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 acknowledge my transgressions, 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 thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done what is evil in thy sight; that thou mayest be justified when thou speakest, be clear when thou judgest.

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

Behold, in iniquity was I brought forth, and in sin 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.

Behold, thou wilt have truth in the inward parts; and in the hidden [part] thou wilt make me to know wisdom.

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

Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

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

Make me to hear gladness and joy; [that] the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.

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

Hide thy 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 steadfast spirit within me.

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

Cast me not away from thy presence, and take not the spirit of thy holiness from me.

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

Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation, and let a willing spirit sustain me.

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

I will teach transgressors thy ways, and sinners shall return unto thee.

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

Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.

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

Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare thy praise.

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

For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou hast no pleasure in burnt-offering.

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

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

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

Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion; build the walls of Jerusalem.

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

Then shalt thou have sacrifices of righteousness, burnt-offering, and whole burnt-offering; then shall they offer up bullocks upon thine altar.