Chapter 51

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

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

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

  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.  

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

  Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.  

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

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

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

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

  Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.  

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

  Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt-offering and whole burnt-offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thy altar.