Psalm 51

A Prayer for Restoration

For the choir director. A Davidic psalm, when Nathan the prophet came to him after he had gone to Bathsheba. l

1 Be gracious to me, God,

according to Your faithful love;

according to Your abundant compassion,

blot out my rebellion. m

2 Wash away my * guilt

and cleanse me from my sin. n

3 For I am conscious of my rebellion,

and my sin is always before me. o

4 Against You—You alone—I have sinned

and done this evil in Your sight. p

So You are right when You pass sentence;

You are blameless when You judge. q

5 Indeed, I was guilty when I was born;

I was sinful when my mother conceived me. r

6 Surely You desire integrity in the inner self,

and You teach me wisdom deep within. s

7 Purify me with hyssop, and I will be * clean;

wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. t

8 Let me hear joy and gladness;

let the bones You have crushed rejoice. u

9 Turn Your face away v from my sins

and blot out all my guilt. w

10 God, create a clean heart for me

and renew a steadfast x spirit within me. y

11 Do not banish me from Your presence

or take Your Holy Spirit from me. z

12 Restore the joy of Your salvation to me,

and give me a willing spirit. a b

13 Then I will teach the rebellious Your ways,

and sinners will return to You. c

14 Save me from the guilt of bloodshed, God, d

the God of my salvation,

and my tongue will sing of Your righteousness. e

15 Lord, open my lips,

and my mouth will declare Your praise. f

16 You do not want a sacrifice, or I would give it;

You are not pleased with a * burnt offering. g

17 The sacrifice pleasing to God is h a broken spirit.

God, You will not despise a broken and humbled heart. i

18 In Your good pleasure, cause * Zion to prosper;

build j the walls of Jerusalem. k

19 Then You will delight in righteous sacrifices,

whole burnt offerings;

then bulls will be offered on Your altar. l