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 of the music. A psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after his intercourse with Bathsheba.” Be gracious unto me, O God! according to thy loving kindness; According to the greatness of thy mercy, blot out my transgressions!
2 Thoroughly wash me from mine iniquity, And from my sin cleanse me,
Wash me thoroughly from my 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 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 in thy sight have I done evil; So that thou art just in thy sentence, And righteous in thy judgment.
5 Lo, in iniquity I have been brought forth, And in sin doth my mother conceive me.
Behold! I was born 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 heart; So teach me wisdom in my inmost soul!
7 Thou cleansest me with hyssop and I am clean, Washest me, and than snow I am whiter.
Purge me with hyssop, until I be clean; Wash me, until I 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, So 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 my iniquities!
10 A clean heart prepare for me, O God, And a right spirit renew within me.
Create within me a clean heart, O God! Renew within me a steadfast spirit!
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 to me the joy of thy protection, And strengthen me with a willing spirit!
13 I teach transgressors Thy ways, And sinners unto Thee do return.
Then will I teach thy ways to transgressors, And sinners shall be converted to thee.
14 Deliver me from blood, O God, God of my salvation, My tongue singeth of Thy righteousness.
Deliver me from the guilt of blood, O God, the God of my salvation! That my tongue may sing aloud of thy goodness!
15 O Lord, my lips thou dost open, And my mouth declareth Thy praise.
O Lord! open thou my lips, That my mouth may show forth 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 delightest not in burnt-offerings.
17 The sacrifices of God [are] a broken spirit, A heart broken and bruised, O God, Thou dost not despise.
The sacrifice which God loveth is a broken spirit; A broken and 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 to Zion according to thy mercy; Build up 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 be pleased with sacrifices of righteousness, With burnt-offerings and complete offerings; Then shall bullocks be offered upon thine altar.
