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 Chief Musician. A Psalm by David, when Nathan the prophet came to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. Have mercy on me, God, according to your loving kindness. According to the multitude of your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions.

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

Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity. Cleanse me from my sin.

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

For I know my transgressions. My sin is constantly 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, and you only, I have sinned, and done that which is evil in your sight, so you may be proved right when you speak, and justified when you judge.

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

Behold, I was born in iniquity. My mother conceived me in sin.

6 Lo, truth Thou hast desired in the inward parts, And in the hidden part Wisdom Thou causest me to know.

Behold, you desire truth in the inward parts. You teach me wisdom in the inmost place.

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

Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean. Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

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

Let me hear joy and gladness, that the bones which you have broken may rejoice.

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

Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all of my iniquities.

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

Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me.

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

Don’t throw me from your presence, and don’t take your 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 your salvation. Uphold me with a willing spirit.

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

Then I will teach transgressors your ways. Sinners will be converted to you.

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

Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, the God of my salvation. My tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.

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

Lord, open my lips. My mouth will declare your praise.

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

For you don’t delight in sacrifice, or else I would give it. You have 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. O God, you will not despise a broken and contrite heart.

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

Do well in your good 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 you will delight in the sacrifices of righteousness, in burnt offerings and in whole burnt offerings. Then they will offer bulls on your altar.