Psalms 51

For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David, when Nathan the prophet came to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.

1 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: According to the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. ✦

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

3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.For I know my transgressions; And my sin is ever before me. ✦

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.Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, And done that which is evil in thy sight; That thou mayest be justified when thou speakest, And be clear when thou judgest. ✦

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

6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts; And in the hidden part thou wilt make me to know wisdom. ✦

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

8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.Make me to hear joy and gladness, That the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. ✦

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

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

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

12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; And uphold me with a willing spirit. ✦

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

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

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

16 For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.For thou delightest not in sacrifice; else would I give it: Thou hast no pleasure in burnt-offering. ✦

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

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

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.Then wilt thou delight in the sacrifices of righteousness, In burnt-offering and whole burnt-offering: Then will they offer bullocks upon thine altar. ✦