Psalms 51

For the choirmaster. A psalm of David.

1when Nathan the prophet came to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.

2Be gracious to me, God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercies, blot out my transgressions.

3Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

4For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.

5Against you—you alone—I have sinned, and I have done what is evil in your eyes, so that you may be in the right when you speak and blameless when you judge.

6Behold, in iniquity I was brought forth, and in sin my mother conceived me.

7Behold, you desire truth in the inward parts, and in the hidden place you make wisdom known to me.

8Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

9Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice.

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

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

12Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your Holy Spirit from me.

13Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and let a willing spirit sustain me.

14I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you.

15Deliver me from bloodguilt, O God, God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.

16Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.

17For you do not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offering.

18The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and crushed heart, O God, you will not despise.

19In your good pleasure, do good to Zion; build up the walls of Jerusalem.

20Then you will delight in righteous sacrifices, in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on your altar.