Psalms 51

1 For the chief musician. A psalm of David; when Nathan the prophet came to him after he had slept with Bathsheba. Have mercy on me, God, because of your covenant faithfulness; for the sake of the multitude of your merciful actions, 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 always before me.⋮

4 Against you, you only, I have sinned and done what is evil in your sight; you are right when you speak; you are correct when you judge.⋮

5 See, I was born in iniquity; as soon as my mother conceived me, I was in sin.⋮

6 See, you desire trustworthiness in my inner self; and you teach me wisdom in the secret place within.⋮

7 Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.⋮

8 Make me hear joy and gladness so that the bones that you have broken may rejoice.⋮

9 Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquities.⋮

10 Create in me a clean heart, God, and renew a right spirit within me.⋮

11 Do not drive 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 will I teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will be converted to you.⋮

14 Forgive me for shedding blood, God of my salvation, and I will shout for the joy of your righteousness.⋮

15 Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will express your praise.⋮

16 For you do not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you have no pleasure in burnt offerings.⋮

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

18 Do good in your good pleasure to Zion; rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.⋮

19 Then will you delight in the sacrifices of righteousness, in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings; then our people will offer bulls on your altar.⋮