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 Leader. A Psalm of David; When Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bath-sheba. Be gracious unto me, O God, according to Thy mercy; according to the multitude of Thy compassions blot out my transgressions.

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 know my transgressions; and my sin is ever 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 that which is evil in Thy sight; that Thou mayest be justified when Thou speakest, and be in the right when Thou judgest.

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

Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, 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 desirest truth in the inward parts; make me, therefore, to know wisdom in mine inmost heart.

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 joy and gladness; that the bones which Thou hast crushed 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 me a clean heart, O God; and renew a stedfast 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 Thy holy spirit 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 uphold me.

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

Then will I 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 bloodguiltiness, O God, Thou God of my salvation; so shall my tongue sing aloud of Thy righteousness.

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

O Lord, open Thou 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 delightest not in 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 favour unto Zion; build Thou 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 wilt Thou delight in the sacrifices of righteousness, in burnt-offering and whole offering; then will they offer bullocks upon Thine altar.