Psalms, 51

1. To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.

1.

2. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

2.

3. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin [is] ever before me.

3. Have mercy on me, O God, in your love. In your great compassion blot out my sin.

4. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done [this] evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, [and] be clear when thou judgest.

4. Wash me thoroughly of my guilt; cleanse me of evil.

5. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.

5. For I acknowledge my wrongdoings and have my sins ever in mind.

6. Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden [part] thou shalt make me to know wisdom.

6. Against you alone have I sinned; what is evil in your sight I have done. You are right when you pass sentence and blameless in your judgment.

7. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

7. For I have been guilt-ridden from birth, a sinner from my mother's womb.

8. Make me to hear joy and gladness; [that] the bones [which] thou hast broken may rejoice.

8. I know you desire truth in the heart, teach me wisdom in my inmost being.

9. Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.

9. Cleanse me with hyssop and I shall be clean, wash me, I shall be whiter than snow.

10. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

10. Fill me with joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice.

11. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.

11. Turn your face away from my sins and blot out all my offenses.

12. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me [with thy] free spirit.

12. Create in me, O God, a pure heart; give me a new and steadfast spirit.

13. [Then] will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.

13. Do not cast me out of your presence nor take your holy spirit from me.

14. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: [and] my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.

14. Give me again the joy of your salvation and sustain me with a willing spirit.

15. O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.

15. Then I will show wrongdoers your ways and sinners will return to you.

16. For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give [it]: thou delightest not in burnt offering.

16. Deliver me, O God, from the guilt of blood, and of your justice I shall sing aloud.

17. The sacrifices of God [are] a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

17. O Lord, open my lips, and I will declare your praise.

18. Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.

18. You take no pleasure in sacrifice; were I to give a burnt offering, you would not delight in it.

19. Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.

19. O God, my sacrifice is a broken spirit; a contrite heart you will not despise.

20.

20. Shower Zion with your favor: rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.

21.

21. Then you will delight in fitting sacrifices, in burnt offerings and bulls offered on your altar.