Psalm 51

To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bath-sheba.

1Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.

2Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

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

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

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

6Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt 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 thou hast broken may rejoice.

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

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

11Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

19Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.

Create in Me a Clean Heart, O God

For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. When Nathan the prophet came to him after his adultery with Bathsheba.

1Have mercy on me,footnote aO God,according to Your loving devotion;according to Your great compassion,blot out my transgressions. 2Wash me clean of my iniquityand cleanse me from my sin. 3For I know my transgressions,and my sin is always before me. 4Against You, You only, have I sinnedand done what is evil in Your sight,so that You may be proved right when You speakand blameless when You judge.footnote b 5Surely I was brought forth in iniquity;I was sinful when my mother conceived me.

6Surely You desire truth in the inmost being;You teach me wisdom in the inmost place. 7Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean;wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. 8Let me hear joy and gladness;let the bones You have crushed rejoice. 9Hide Your face from my sinsand 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;take not Your Holy Spirit from me. 12Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,and sustain me with a willing spirit. 13Then I will teach transgressors Your ways,and sinners will return to You.

14Deliver me from bloodguilt, O God,the God of my salvation,and my tongue will sing of Your righteousness. 15O Lord, open my lips,and my mouth will declare Your praise. 16For You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;You take no pleasure in burnt offerings. 17The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;a broken and a contrite heart,O God, You will not despise.

18In Your good pleasure, cause Zion to prosper;build up the walls of Jerusalem. 19Then You will delight in righteous sacrifices,in whole burnt offerings;then bulls will be offered on Your altar.