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 music director. A psalm of David. When Nathan the prophet came to him after he had committed adultery with Bathsheba. God, please be gracious to me, because of your trustworthy love, because of your infinite kindness please wipe away my sins.
2 Thoroughly wash me from mine iniquity, And from my sin cleanse me,
Wash away all my guilt; cleanse me from my sin.
3 For my transgressions I do know, And my sin [is] before me continually.
I admit my rebellion; my sin always stares me in my face.
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.
I have sinned against you, you alone. I have done evil in your sight. So you are right in what you say, and fair when you judge.
5 Lo, in iniquity I have been brought forth, And in sin doth my mother conceive me.
It's true that I was born guilty—sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
6 Lo, truth Thou hast desired in the inward parts, And in the hidden part Wisdom Thou causest me to know.
But you want truth on the inside; you teach me wisdom deep within.
7 Thou cleansest me with hyssop and I am clean, Washest me, and than snow I am whiter.
Purify me with hyssop so I can be clean; wash me so I can be whiter than snow.
8 Thou causest me to hear joy and gladness, Thou makest joyful bones Thou hast bruised.
Please let me hear joy and happiness again; let the bones you have crushed be glad once more.
9 Hide Thy face from my sin. And all mine iniquities blot out.
Turn your face away from looking at my sins; please wipe away my guilt.
10 A clean heart prepare for me, O God, And a right spirit renew within me.
Create a pure mind in me, God, and make me trustworthy again.
11 Cast me not forth from Thy presence, And Thy Holy Spirit take not from me.
Don't expel me from your presence; don't take away your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of Thy salvation, And a willing spirit doth sustain me.
Give me back the happiness of your salvation; help me to have a willing nature.
13 I teach transgressors Thy ways, And sinners unto Thee do return.
Then I will teach your ways to rebellious people, and these sinners will come back to you.
14 Deliver me from blood, O God, God of my salvation, My tongue singeth of Thy righteousness.
God, please forgive me for the blood I have shed, God of my salvation, and I will sing for joy of your goodness.
15 O Lord, my lips thou dost open, And my mouth declareth Thy praise.
Open my lips so I can speak your praise!
16 For Thou desirest not sacrifice, or I give [it], Burnt-offering Thou acceptest not.
For sacrifices don't make you happy, or I would bring one; burnt offerings aren't what pleases you.
17 The sacrifices of God [are] a broken spirit, A heart broken and bruised, O God, Thou dost not despise.
The “sacrifices” that God wants are on the inside—the brokenness of repentance. God won't reject a broken and sorrowful heart.
18 Do good in Thy good pleasure with Zion, Thou dost build the walls of Jerusalem.
Be kind to Zion, help the city; rebuild 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 you will be pleased with sacrifices given in the right spirit, for all kinds of burnt offerings, and bulls sacrificed on your altar once more.
