51
1 For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David.
2 When Nathan the prophet came to him after his adultery with Bathsheba.
3 Have mercy on me,*51:3 Or Be gracious to me O God,
according to your loving devotion;
according to your great compassion,
blot out my transgressions.
4 Wash me clean of my iniquity
and cleanse me from my sin.
5 For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is always before me.
6 Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you may be proved right when you speak
and blameless when you judge.†51:6 LXX and victorious when you judge
7 Surely I was brought forth in iniquity;
I was sinful when my mother conceived me.
8 Surely you desire truth in the inmost being;
you teach me wisdom in the inmost place.
9 Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
10 Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
11 Hide your face from my sins
and blot out all my iniquities.
12 Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.
13 Cast me not away from your presence;
take not your holy spirit from me.
14 Restore to me the joy of your deliverance,
and sustain me with a willing spirit.
15 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
and sinners will return to you.
16 Deliver me from bloodguilt, O God,
the God of my deliverance,
and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.
17 O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth will declare your praise.
18 For you do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
you take no pleasure in burnt offerings.
19 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and a contrite heart,
O God, you will not despise.
20 In your good pleasure, cause Zion to prosper;
build up the walls of Jerusalem.
21 Then you will delight in righteous sacrifices,
in whole burnt offerings;
then bulls will be offered on your altar.