51
For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David; when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bath-sheba. 
 1 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: 
According to the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. 
 2 Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, 
And cleanse me from my sin. 
 3 For I know my transgressions; 
And my sin is ever before me. 
 4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, 
And done that which is evil in thy sight; 
That thou mayest be justified when thou speakest, 
And be clear when thou judgest. 
 5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity; 
And in sin did my mother conceive me. 
 6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts; 
And in the hidden part thou wilt make me to 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, 
That the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. 
 9 Hide thy face from my sins, 
And blot out all mine iniquities. 
 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; 
And renew a right spirit within me. 
 11 Cast me not away from thy presence; 
And take not thy holy Spirit from me. 
 12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; 
And uphold me with a willing spirit. 
 13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; 
And sinners shall be converted unto thee. 
 14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation; 
And my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. 
 15 O Lord, open thou my lips; 
And my mouth shall show forth thy praise. 
 16 For thou delightest not in sacrifice; else would I give it: 
Thou hast no pleasure in burnt offering. 
 17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: 
A broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. 
 18 Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: 
Build thou the walls of Jerusalem. 
 19 Then wilt thou delight in the sacrifices of righteousness, 
In burnt offering and whole burnt offering: 
Then will they offer bullocks upon thine altar.