Psalm 51 - Modern English Version

For the Music Director. A Psalm of David, when Nathan the Prophet came to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.

¹ Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; according to the abundance of Your compassion, blot out my transgressions.

² Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

³ For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.

⁴ Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done what is evil in Your sight, so that You are justified when you speak, and blameless when You pass judgment.

⁵ Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin my mother conceived me.

⁶ Behold, You desire truth in the inward being, and in my secret heart You will teach me wisdom.

⁷ Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

⁸ Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that You have broken rejoice.

⁹ Hide Your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.

¹⁰ Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.

¹¹ Cast me not away from Your presence, and take not Your Holy Spirit from me.

¹² Restore unto me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me with Your willing spirit.

¹³ Then will I teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners will return to You.

¹⁴ Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of Your righteousness.

¹⁵ O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise.

¹⁶ For You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; You do not delight in burnt offering.

¹⁷ The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.

¹⁸ Do good to Zion in Your good pleasure; build the walls of Jerusalem.

¹⁹ Then You will be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering; then bulls will be offered on Your altar.