1 Clement 18

1And what shall we say And what shall we say about David, who has received testimony? To him God said, “I found a man according to my heart, David the son of Jesse; with everlasting mercy I anointed him.”

2But he himself also says to God: Have mercy on me, O God, according to your great mercy, and according to the abundance of your compassions blot out my lawlessness.

3Wash me more and more from my lawlessness, and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my lawlessness, and my sin is before me continually.

4Against you only I sinned, and I did what is evil before you, so that you may be justified in your words and prevail when you are judged.

5For behold, in lawless deeds I was conceived, and in sins my mother bore me.

6For behold, you loved truth; the hidden and secret things of your wisdom you made known to me.

7You will sprinkle me with hyssop, and I will be cleansed; you will wash me, and I will be made whiter than snow.

8You will make me hear gladness and joy; the bones that have been humbled will rejoice.

9Turn your face away from my sins, and blot out all my lawless deeds.

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

11Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your Holy Spirit from me.

12Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.

13I will teach the lawless your ways, and the ungodly will turn to you.

14Deliver me from bloodguilt, O God, the God of my salvation.

15My tongue will rejoice in your righteousness. Lord, you will open my mouth, and my lips will declare your praise.

16For if you had desired sacrifice, I would have given it; in whole burnt offerings you will not delight.

17A sacrifice to God is a broken spirit; a broken and humbled heart God will not despise.”