51
For the music director. A psalm of David, when the prophet Nathan came to him after David had gone in to Bathsheba.
1 Be gracious to me, God, according to your steadfast love;
in your abundant compassion blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.
4 Against you, you alone, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are just when you speak and blameless when you judge.
5 Indeed, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me.
6 Indeed, you desire truth in the inward parts, and in the hidden place you make wisdom known to me.
7 Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
8 Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
9 Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me away from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and let a willing spirit sustain me.
13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you.
14 Deliver me from bloodguilt, God, God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.
15 Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will proclaim your praise.
16 For you do not desire sacrifice, or I would give it;
you do not delight in burnt offering.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and crushed heart, God, you will not despise.
18 Do good to Zion in your favor;
build the walls of Jerusalem.
19 Then you will delight in righteous sacrifices, burnt offering and whole burnt offering;
then bulls will be offered on your altar.