Psalm 51

TO THE CHIEF MUSICIAN, A PSALM OF DAVID,

WHEN NATHAN THE PROPHET CAME UNTO HIM,

AFTER HE HAD GONE IN TO BATHSHEBA.

1 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness:

according unto 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 acknowledge my transgressions:

and my sin is ever before me.

4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight:

that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.

5 Behold, I was shapen 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 shalt make me to know wisdom.

7 Purge 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 thy free 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 desirest not sacrifice;

else would I give it:

thou delightest not 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 shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness,

with burnt offering and whole burnt offering:

then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.

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