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 come to him after he had been with Bathsheba. In your kindness, O God, be gracious to me, in your own great pity blot out my transgressions.

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

Wash me clean of my guilt, make me pure of my sin.

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

For well I know my transgressions, 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 you, only you, have I sinned, and done that which is wrong in your sight: you therefore are just when you speak, and clear when you utter judgment.

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

See! In guilt was I brought to the birth, 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.

It’s the innermost truth you desire, give me therefore true wisdom of heart.

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

Purge me clean with hyssop, wash me whiter than snow.

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

Fill me with joy and gladness, let the bones you have broken rejoice.

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

Hide your face from my sins, and blot out my guilt altogether.

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

Create me a clean heart, O God, put a new steadfast spirit within me.

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

Cast me not forth from your presence, withdraw not your holy spirit.

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

Give me back the joy of your help, with a willing spirit sustain me.

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

I will teach your ways to transgressors, and sinners shall turn to you.

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

Save me from blood, O God, and my tongue shall ring out your faithfulness.

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

Open my lips, O Lord, and my mouth shall declare your praise.

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

For in sacrifice you have no pleasure, in gifts of burnt-offering no delight.

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

The sacrifice pleasing to God is a spirit that is broken; a heart that is crushed, O God, you will not despise.

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

Do good in your pleasure to 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 will you welcome the due forms of sacrifice, then on your altars shall bullocks be offered.