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.

Psalm 51

A Contrite Sinner's Prayer for Pardon.

For the choir director. A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.

1 Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness;
According to the greatness of Your compassion blot out my transgressions.

2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity
And cleanse me from my sin.

3 For I know my transgressions,
And my sin is ever before me.

4 Against You, You only, I have sinned
And done what is evil in Your sight,
So that You tare justified when You speak
And blameless when You judge.

5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
And in sin my mother conceived me.

6 Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being,
And in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom.

7 Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

8 Make me to hear joy and gladness,
Let the bones which You have broken rejoice.

9 Hide Your face from my sins
And blot out all my iniquities.

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.

11 Do not cast me away from Your presence
And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.

12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation
And sustain me with a willing spirit.

13  Then I will teach transgressors Your ways,
And sinners will tbe converted to You.

14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation;
Then my tongue will joyfully sing of Your righteousness.

15 O Lord, open my lips,
That my mouth may declare Your praise.

16 For You do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it;
You are not pleased with burnt offering.

17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.

18 By Your favor do good to Zion;
Build the walls of Jerusalem.

19 Then You will delight in righteous sacrifices,
In burnt offering and whole burnt offering;
Then young bulls will be offered on Your altar.