- 51Have mercy upon me, O God, according to your loving kindness. According unto the multitude of your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions. 2Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. 3For I acknowledge my transgressions and my sin is ever before me. 4Against you, you only, have I sinned and done evil in your sight, that you might be justified when you speak and be clear when you judge. 5Behold, I was shaped in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. 6Behold, you desire truth in the inward parts, and in the hidden part you shall make me to know wisdom.
- 7Purge me with hyssop and I shall be clean. Wash me and I shall be whiter than snow. 8Make me to hear joy and gladness, that the bones which you have broken may 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 unto me the joy of your salvation and uphold me with your free spirit. 13Then will I teach transgressors your ways and sinners shall be converted unto you. 14Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God — you, God of my salvation — and my tongue shall sing aloud of your righteousness. 15O Lord, open my lips and my mouth shall show forth your praise.
- 16For you desire not sacrifice, else would I give it. You delight not in burnt offering. 17The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, a broken and a contrite heart. O God, you will not despise.
- 18Do good in your good pleasure unto Zion. Build the walls of Jerusalem. 19Then shall you be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering, and whole burnt offering. Then shall they offer bullocks upon your altar.
Psalm 51
To the chief musician, a psalm of David when Nathan the prophet came unto him after he had gone in to Bathsheba.