Psalms 51

1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according to the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.

For the leader. A psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet come to him after he had been with Bathsheba. In your kindness, O God, be gracious to me, in your own great pity blot out my transgressions.

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

Wash me clean of my guilt, make me pure of my sin.

3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.

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

4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mayest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.

Against you, only you, have I sinned, and done that which is wrong in your sight: you therefore are just when you speak, and clear when you utter judgment.

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

See! In guilt was I brought to the birth, 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.

It’s the innermost truth you desire, give me therefore true wisdom of heart.

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

Purge me clean with hyssop, wash me whiter than snow.

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

Fill me with joy and gladness, let the bones you have broken rejoice.

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

Hide your face from my sins, and blot out my guilt altogether.

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

Create me a clean heart, O God, put a new steadfast spirit within me.

11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy Holy Spirit from me.

Cast me not forth from your presence, withdraw not your holy spirit.

12 Restore to me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

Give me back the joy of your help, with a willing spirit sustain me.

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

I will teach your ways to transgressors, and sinners shall turn to you.

14 Deliver me from blood guiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.

Save me from blood, O God, and my tongue shall ring out your faithfulness.

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

Open my lips, O Lord, and my mouth shall declare your praise.

16 For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.

For in sacrifice you have no pleasure, in gifts of burnt-offering no delight.

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

The sacrifice pleasing to God is a spirit that is broken; a heart that is crushed, O God, you will not despise.

18 Do good in thy good pleasure to Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.

Do good in your pleasure to Zion, build 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 bulls upon thy altar.

Then will you welcome the due forms of sacrifice, then on your altars shall bullocks be offered.