Surelyin vainI have keptmy heartpureAnd washedmy handsin innocence;
I shall washmy handsin innocence,And I will goaboutYour altar,O LORD,
"For he has said,It profitsa mannothingWhen he is pleasedwith God.'
Whois the Almighty,that we should serveHim, And whatwould we gainifwe entreatHim?'
"For you say,Whatadvantagewill it be to You? Whatprofitwill I have, morethanif I had sinned?'
Drawnearto Godand He will draw nearto you. Cleanseyour hands,you sinners;and purifyyour hearts,you double-minded.
"You have said,It is vainto serveGod;and whatprofitis it that we have keptHis charge,and that we have walkedin mourningbeforethe LORDof hosts?
Createin me a cleanheart,O God,And renewa steadfastspiritwithinme.
He who has cleanhandsand a pureheart,Whohas not liftedup his soulto falsehoodAnd has not sworndeceitfully.
YetYou would plungeme into the pit,And my own clotheswould abhorme.
"ThoughI say,'I will forgetmy complaint,I will leaveoff my [sad] countenanceand be cheerful,'
"I am accounted wicked,Whythenshould I toilin vain?
