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.
O God, be merciful to me, because you love me faithfully; because you are very merciful, erase [the record of] the ways that I disobeyed you!
2 Thoroughly wash me from mine iniquity, And from my sin cleanse me,
Make me pure from the wrong things that I have done; make me clean from [the guilt of] my sin.
3 For my transgressions I do know, And my sin [is] before me continually.
[I say that] because I know the ways that I have disobeyed you; I cannot forget them.
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.
You, you only, are the one that I have [really] sinned against, and you have seen the evil things that I have done. When you say that I am guilty, you are right/correct, and when you judge me, you justly say [that I deserve to be punished].
5 Lo, in iniquity I have been brought forth, And in sin doth my mother conceive me.
I have been a sinner since the day that I was born; [truly], I have been like that since 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.
What you desire is that I desire what is true in order that you [can] teach me how to act wisely.
7 Thou cleansest me with hyssop and I am clean, Washest me, and than snow I am whiter.
Purify me from the guilt of my sins, and [after that happens], I will be clean [in my inner being]; cleanse me, and [then in my inner being] I will be (whiter than snow/very clean).
8 Thou causest me to hear joy and gladness, Thou makest joyful bones Thou hast bruised.
Allow/Cause me to be joyful [DOU] again; you have (crushed my spirit/completely discouraged me) [MTY]; [but now] let me rejoice [again].
9 Hide Thy face from my sin. And all mine iniquities blot out.
Do not continue to look at the sins [IDM] that I have committed; erase the record of the evil things that I have done.
10 A clean heart prepare for me, O God, And a right spirit renew within me.
O God, cause my inner being to be pure. Put new [thoughts] within me and make me faithful again.
11 Cast me not forth from Thy presence, And Thy Holy Spirit take not from me.
Do not send me away from you [because of my sin], and do not take your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of Thy salvation, And a willing spirit doth sustain me.
Cause/Allow me to be happy again because of [knowing] that you have freed me [from the guilt of my sin], and make me willing [to obey you].
13 I teach transgressors Thy ways, And sinners unto Thee do return.
If you do that, I will [be able to] teach [other] sinners what you want them to do, and they will repent and begin to obey you.
14 Deliver me from blood, O God, God of my salvation, My tongue singeth of Thy righteousness.
O God, you are the one who saves me; forgive me for being guilty of causing someone [who was not my enemy] to die. [When you do that], I will sing joyfully about your being very good and righteous.
15 O Lord, my lips thou dost open, And my mouth declareth Thy praise.
O Yahweh, help me to speak [in order that] I may praise you.
16 For Thou desirest not sacrifice, or I give [it], Burnt-offering Thou acceptest not.
You are not pleased [only] with the sacrifices [that people bring to you]. If that were [enough to] please you, I would bring you sacrifices. You are not pleased with burnt offerings [alone].
17 The sacrifices of God [are] a broken spirit, A heart broken and bruised, O God, Thou dost not despise.
The sacrifice that you [really] want is for people to be truly humble and sorry [for having sinned]; O God, you will not refuse that kind of sacrifice.
18 Do good in Thy good pleasure with Zion, Thou dost build the walls of Jerusalem.
[O God], be good to [the people who live in] Jerusalem [MTY], [and help them] to rebuild the city walls.
19 Then Thou desirest sacrifices of righteousness, Burnt-offering, and whole burnt-offering, Then they offer bullocks on thine altar!
When that happens, [they will bring you] the proper sacrifices, animals that they will completely burn, young bulls that they will burn on your altar, and you will be pleased.
