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        After thy lovingkindness, Lord,

                   have mercy upon me:

          For thy compassions great, blot out

                   all mine iniquity.

2        Me cleanse from sin, and throughly wash

                   from mine iniquity:

3        For my transgressions I confess;

                   my sin I ever see.

4        'Gainst thee, thee only, have I sinn'd,

                   in thy sight done this ill;

          That when thou speak'st thou may'st be just,

                   and clear in judging still.

5        Behold, I in iniquity

                   was form'd the womb within;

          My mother also me conceiv'd

                   in guiltiness and sin.

6        Behold, thou in the inward parts

                   with truth delighted art;

          And wisdom thou shalt make me know

                   within the hidden part.

7        Do thou with hyssop sprinkle me,

                   I shall be cleansed so;

          Yea, wash thou me, and then I shall

                   be whiter than the snow.

8        Of gladness and of joyfulness

                   make me to hear the voice;

          That so these very bones which thou

                   hast broken may rejoice.

9        All mine iniquities blot out,

                   thy face hide from my sin.

10      Create a clean heart, Lord, renew

                   a right sp'rit me within.

11      Cast me not from thy sight, nor take

                   thy Holy Sp'rit away.

12      Restore me thy salvation's joy;

                   with thy free Sp'rit me stay.

13      Then will I teach thy ways unto

                   those that transgressors be;

          And those that sinners are shall then

                   be turned unto thee.

14      O God, of my salvation God,

                   me from bloodguiltiness

          Set free; then shall my tongue aloud

                   sing of thy righteousness.

15      My closed lips, O Lord, by thee

                   let them be opened;

          Then shall thy praises by my mouth

                   abroad be published.

16      For thou desir'st not sacrifice,

                   else would I give it thee;

          Nor wilt thou with burnt-offering

                   at all delighted be.

17      A broken spirit is to God

                   a pleasing sacrifice:

          A broken and a contrite heart,

                   Lord, thou wilt not despise.

18      Shew kindness, and do good, O Lord,

                   to Sion, thine own hill:

          The walls of thy Jerusalem

                   build up of thy good will.

19      Then righteous off'rings shall thee please,

                   and off'rings burnt, which they

          With whole burnt-off'rings, and with calves,

                   shall on thine altar lay.