Psalms 51

1 To the Overseer. — A Psalm of David, in the coming in unto him of Nathan the prophet, when he hath gone in unto Bath-Sheba. Favour me, O God, according to Thy kindness, According to the abundance of Thy mercies, Blot out my transgressions.

For the chief musician. A psalm of David; when Nathan the prophet came to him after he had slept with Bathsheba. Have mercy on me, God, because of your covenant faithfulness; for the sake of the multitude of your merciful actions, blot out my transgressions.

2 Thoroughly wash me from mine iniquity, And from my sin cleanse me,

Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.

3 For my transgressions I do know, And my sin [is] before me continually.

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

4 Against Thee, Thee only, I have sinned, And done the evil thing in Thine eyes, So that Thou art righteous in Thy words, Thou art pure in Thy judging.

Against you, you only, I have sinned and done what is evil in your sight; you are right when you speak; you are correct when you judge.

5 Lo, in iniquity I have been brought forth, And in sin doth my mother conceive me.

See, I was born in iniquity; as soon as my mother conceived me, I was in sin.

6 Lo, truth Thou hast desired in the inward parts, And in the hidden part Wisdom Thou causest me to know.

See, you desire trustworthiness in my inner self; and you teach me wisdom in the secret place within.

7 Thou cleansest me with hyssop and I am clean, Washest me, and than snow I am whiter.

Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

8 Thou causest me to hear joy and gladness, Thou makest joyful bones Thou hast bruised.

Make me hear joy and gladness so that the bones that you have broken may rejoice.

9 Hide Thy face from my sin. And all mine iniquities blot out.

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

10 A clean heart prepare for me, O God, And a right spirit renew within me.

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

11 Cast me not forth from Thy presence, And Thy Holy Spirit take not from me.

Do not drive me away from your presence, and do not take your holy Spirit from me.

12 Restore to me the joy of Thy salvation, And a willing spirit doth sustain me.

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

13 I teach transgressors Thy ways, And sinners unto Thee do return.

Then will I teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will be converted to you.

14 Deliver me from blood, O God, God of my salvation, My tongue singeth of Thy righteousness.

Forgive me for shedding blood, God of my salvation, and I will shout for the joy of your righteousness.

15 O Lord, my lips thou dost open, And my mouth declareth Thy praise.

Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will express your praise.

16 For Thou desirest not sacrifice, or I give [it], Burnt-offering Thou acceptest not.

For you do not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you have no pleasure in burnt offerings.

17 The sacrifices of God [are] a broken spirit, A heart broken and bruised, O God, Thou dost not despise.

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit. You, God, will not despise a broken and a contrite heart.

18 Do good in Thy good pleasure with Zion, Thou dost build the walls of Jerusalem.

Do good in your good pleasure to Zion; rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.

19 Then Thou desirest sacrifices of righteousness, Burnt-offering, and whole burnt-offering, Then they offer bullocks on thine altar!

Then will you delight in the sacrifices of righteousness, in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings; then our people will offer bulls on your altar.