From the director of
music. A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David
had commited adultery
with Bathsheba.
Have mercy on me, O
God, according to your unfailing love;
according to your great
compassion blot out my transgressions.
Wash away all my iniquity
and cleanse me from my sin.
For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is always before me.
Against you, you only,
have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you are proved
right when you speak and justified when you judge.
Surely I was sinful
at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
Surely you desire truth
in the inner parts; you teach me wisdom in the inmost place.
Cleanse me with hyssop,
and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Let me hear joy and
gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
Hide your face from
my sins and blot out all my iniquity.
Create in me a pure
heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from
your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore me to the joy
of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
Then I will teach transgressors
your ways, and sinners will turn back to you.
Save me from bloodguilt,
O God, the God who saves me, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.
O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth will declare your praise.
You do not delight in
sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
The sacrifices of God
are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
In your good pleasure
make Zion prosper; build up the walls of Jerusalem.
Then there will be righteous
sacrifices, whole burnt offerings to delight you;
then bulls will be offered
on your altar.
- Psalm 51 - NIV
