Psalms51

¹To the choirmaster . A Psalm of David , when Nathan the prophet went to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba . Have mercy on me, O God , according to your steadfast love ; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions .

²Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity , and cleanse me from my sin !

³For I know my transgressions , and my sin is ever before me.

⁴Against you, you only , have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight , so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment .

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

⁶Behold , you delight in truth in the inward being , and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart .

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

⁸Let me hear joy and gladness ; let the bones that you have broken rejoice .

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

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

¹¹Cast me not away from your presence , and take not your Holy Spirit from me.

¹²Restore to me the joy of your salvation , and uphold me with a willing spirit .

¹³Then I will teach transgressors your ways , and sinners will return to you.

¹⁴Deliver me from bloodguiltiness , O God , O God of my salvation , and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness .

¹⁵O Lord , open my lips , and my mouth will declare your praise .

¹⁶For you will not delight in sacrifice , or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering .

¹⁷The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit ; a broken and contrite heart , O God , you will not despise .

¹⁸Do good to Zion in your good pleasure ; build up the walls of Jerusalem ;

¹⁹then will you delight in right sacrifices , in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings ; then bulls will be offered on your altar .