Psalm 51a

For the director of music. A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.c

1 Have mercyd on me, O God,

according to your unfailing love;e

according to your great compassionf

blot outg my transgressions.h

2 Wash awayi all my iniquity

and cleansej me from my sin.

3 For I know my transgressions,

and my sin is always before me.k

4 Against you, you only, have I sinnedl

and done what is evil in your sight;m

so you are right in your verdict

and justified when you judge.n

5 Surely I was sinfulo at birth,p

sinful from the time my mother conceived me.

6 Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb;

you taught me wisdomq in that secret place.r

7 Cleanses me with hyssop,t and I will be clean;

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

8 Let me hear joy and gladness;v

let the bonesw you have crushed rejoice.

9 Hide your face from my sinsx

and blot outy all my iniquity.

10 Create in me a pure heart,z O God,

and renew a steadfast spirit within me.a

11 Do not cast meb from your presencec

or take your Holy Spiritd from me.

12 Restore to me the joy of your salvatione

and grant me a willing spirit,f to sustain me.g

13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,h

so that sinnersi will turn back to you.j

14 Deliver mek from the guilt of bloodshed,l O God,

you who are God my Savior,m

and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.n

15 Open my lips, Lord,o

and my mouth will declare your praise.

16 You do not delight in sacrifice,p or I would bring it;

you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.

17 My sacrifice,q O God, isb a broken spirit;

a broken and contrite heartr

you, God, will not despise.

18 May it please you to prosper Zion,s

to build up the walls of Jerusalem.t

19 Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous,u

in burnt offeringsv offered whole;

then bullsw will be offered on your altar.