Psalm 51

Psalm 51

For the choir director: A psalm of David, regarding the time Nathan the prophet came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.

1 Have mercy on me, O God,
because of your unfailing love.
Because of your great compassion,
blot out the stain of my sins.2 Wash me clean from my guilt.
Purify me from my sin.3 For I recognize my rebellion;
it haunts me day and night.4 Against you, and you alone, have I sinned;
I have done what is evil in your sight.
You will be proved right in what you say,
and your judgment against me is just.t5 For I was born a sinner—
yes, from the moment my mother conceived me.6 But you desire honesty from the womb,t
teaching me wisdom even there.7 Purify me from my sins,t and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.8 Oh, give me back my joy again;
you have broken me—
now let me rejoice.9 Don’t keep looking at my sins.
Remove the stain of my guilt.10 Create in me a clean heart, O God.
Renew a loyal spirit within me.11 Do not banish me from your presence,
and don’t take your Holy Spiritt from me.12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and make me willing to obey you.13 Then I will teach your ways to rebels,
and they will return to you.14 Forgive me for shedding blood, O God who saves;
then I will joyfully sing of your forgiveness.15 Unseal my lips, O Lord,
that my mouth may praise you.16 You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one.
You do not want a burnt offering.17 The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit.
You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.18 Look with favor on Zion and help her;
rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.19 Then you will be pleased with sacrifices offered in the right spirit—
with burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings.
Then bulls will again be sacrificed on your altar.

PSALMS 51

A Prayer for Forgiveness

1  t You are kind, God!
Please have pity on me.
You are always merciful!
Please wipe away my sins.

2 Wash me clean from all
of my sin and guilt.

3 I know about my sins,
and I cannot forget
the burden of my guilt.

4  t You are really the one
I have sinned against;
I have disobeyed you
and have done wrong.
So it is right and fair for you
to correct and punish me.

5 I have sinned and done wrong
since the day I was born.

6 But you want complete honesty,
so teach me true wisdom.

7 Wash me with hyssopt
until I am clean
and whiter than snow.

8 Let me be happy and joyful!
You crushed my bones,
now let them celebrate.

9 Turn your eyes from my sin
and cover my guilt.

10 Create pure thoughts in me
and make me faithful again.

11 Don't chase me away from you
or take your Holy Spirit
away from me.

12 Make me as happy as you did
when you saved me;
make me want to obey!

13 I will teach sinners your Law,
and they will return to you.

14 Keep me from any deadly sin.
Only you can save me!
Then I will shout and sing
about your power to save.

15 Help me to speak,
and I will praise you, Lord.

16 Offerings and sacrifices
are not what you want.

17 The way to please you
is to be truly sorry
deep in our hearts.
This is the kind of sacrifice
you won't refuse.

18 Please be willing, Lord,
to help the city of Zion
and to rebuild its walls.

19 Then you will be pleased
with the proper sacrifices,
and we will offer bulls
on your altar once again.