Psalmorum 51
1 Psalmus David, Cum venit ad eum Nathan Propheta, quando intravit ad Bethsabee. Miserere mei Deus, secundum magnam misericordiam tuam. Et secundum multitudinem miserationum tuarum, dele iniquitatem meam.
For the music director. A psalm of David. When Nathan the prophet came to him after he had committed adultery with Bathsheba. God, please be gracious to me, because of your trustworthy love, because of your infinite kindness please wipe away my sins.
2 Amplius lava me ab iniquitate mea: et a peccato meo munda me.
Wash away all my guilt; cleanse me from my sin.
3 Quoniam iniquitatem meam ego cognosco: et peccatum meum contra me est semper.
I admit my rebellion; my sin always stares me in my face.
4 Tibi soli peccavi, et malum coram te feci: ut iustificeris in sermonibus tuis, et vincas cum iudicaris.
I have sinned against you, you alone. I have done evil in your sight. So you are right in what you say, and fair when you judge.
5 Ecce enim in iniquitatibus conceptus sum: et in peccatis concepit me mater mea.
It's true that I was born guilty—sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
6 Ecce enim veritatem dilexisti: incerta, et occulta sapientiae tuae manifestasti mihi.
But you want truth on the inside; you teach me wisdom deep within.
7 Asperges me hyssopo, et mundabor: lavabis me, et super nivem dealbabor.
Purify me with hyssop so I can be clean; wash me so I can be whiter than snow.
8 Auditui meo dabis gaudium et laetitiam: et exultabunt ossa humiliata.
Please let me hear joy and happiness again; let the bones you have crushed be glad once more.
9 Averte faciem tuam a peccatis meis: et omnes iniquitates meas dele.
Turn your face away from looking at my sins; please wipe away my guilt.
10 Cor mundum crea in me Deus: et spiritum rectum innova in visceribus meis.
Create a pure mind in me, God, and make me trustworthy again.
11 Ne proiicias me a facie tua: et spiritum sanctum tuum ne auferas a me.
Don't expel me from your presence; don't take away your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Redde mihi laetitiam salutaris tui: et spiritu principali confirma me.
Give me back the happiness of your salvation; help me to have a willing nature.
13 Docebo iniquos vias tuas: et impii ad te convertentur.
Then I will teach your ways to rebellious people, and these sinners will come back to you.
14 Libera me de sanguinibus Deus, Deus salutis meae: et exaltabit lingua mea iustitiam tuam.
God, please forgive me for the blood I have shed, God of my salvation, and I will sing for joy of your goodness.
15 Domine, labia mea aperies: et os meum annunciabit laudem tuam.
Open my lips so I can speak your praise!
16 Quoniam si voluisses sacrificium, dedissem utique: holocaustis non delectaberis.
For sacrifices don't make you happy, or I would bring one; burnt offerings aren't what pleases you.
17 Sacrificium Deo spiritus contribulatus: cor contritum, et humiliatum Deus non despicies.
The “sacrifices” that God wants are on the inside—the brokenness of repentance. God won't reject a broken and sorrowful heart.
18 Benigne fac Domine in bona voluntate tua Sion: ut aedificentur muri Ierusalem.
Be kind to Zion, help the city; rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
19 Tunc acceptabis sacrificium iustitiae, oblationes, et holocausta: tunc imponent super altare tuum vitulos.
Then you will be pleased with sacrifices given in the right spirit, for all kinds of burnt offerings, and bulls sacrificed on your altar once more.
