Psalm 51

¹Have mercy on me, O God, according to your loving-kindness; *in your great compassion blot out my offenses.

²Wash me through and through from my wickedness *and cleanse me from my sin.

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

⁴Against you only have I sinned *and done what is evil in your sight.

⁵And so you are justified when you speak *and upright in your judgment.

⁶Indeed, I have been wicked from my birth, *a sinner from my mother’s womb.

⁷For behold, you look for truth deep within me, *and will make me understand wisdom secretly.

⁸Purge me from my sin, and I shall be pure; *wash me, and I shall be clean indeed.

⁹Make me hear of joy and gladness, *that the body you have broken may rejoice.

¹⁰Hide your face from my sins *and blot out all my iniquities.

¹¹Create in me a clean heart, O God, *and renew a right spirit within me.

¹²Cast me not away from your presence *and take not your holy Spirit from me.

¹³Give me the joy of your saving help again *and sustain me with your bountiful Spirit.

¹⁴I shall teach your ways to the wicked, *and sinners shall return to you.

¹⁵Deliver me from death, O God, *and my tongue shall sing of your righteousness, O God of my salvation.

¹⁶Open my lips, O Lord, *and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.

¹⁷Had you desired it, I would have offered sacrifice, *but you take no delight in burnt-offerings.

¹⁸The sacrifice of God is a troubled spirit; *a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

¹⁹Be favorable and gracious to Zion, *and rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.

²⁰Then you will be pleased with the appointed sacrifices, with burnt-offerings and oblations; *then shall they offer young bullocks upon your altar.