Psalm 5142

For the music director; a psalm of David, written when Nathan the prophet confronted him after David’s affair with Bathsheba.43

51:1 Have mercy on me, O God, because of1 your loyal love!

Because of2 your great compassion, wipe away my rebellious acts!3

51:2 Wash away my wrongdoing!4

Cleanse me of my sin!5

51:3 For I am aware of6 my rebellious acts;

I am forever conscious of my sin.7

51:4 Against you—you above all8—I have sinned;

I have done what is evil in your sight.

So9 you are just when you confront me;10

you are right when you condemn me.11

51:5 Look, I was guilty of sin from birth,

a sinner the moment my mother conceived me.12

51:6 Look,13 you desire14 integrity in the inner man;15

you want me to possess wisdom.16

51:7 Sprinkle me17 with water18 and I will be pure;19

wash me20 and I will be whiter than snow.21

51:8 Grant me the ultimate joy of being forgiven!22

May the bones23 you crushed rejoice!24

51:9 Hide your face25 from my sins!

Wipe away26 all my guilt!

51:10 Create for me a pure heart, O God!27

Renew a resolute spirit within me!28

51:11 Do not reject me!29

Do not take your Holy Spirit30 away from me!31

51:12 Let me again experience the joy of your deliverance!

Sustain me by giving me the desire to obey!32

51:13 Then I will teach33 rebels your merciful ways,34

and sinners will turn35 to you.

51:14 Rescue me from the guilt of murder,36 O God, the God who delivers me!

Then my tongue will shout for joy because of your deliverance.37

51:15 O Lord, give me the words!38

Then my mouth will praise you.39

51:16 Certainly40 you do not want a sacrifice, or else I would offer it;41

you do not desire a burnt sacrifice.42

51:17 The sacrifices God desires are a humble spirit43—

O God, a humble and repentant heart44 you will not reject.45

51:18 Because you favor Zion, do what is good for her!46

Fortify47 the walls of Jerusalem!48

51:19 Then you will accept49 the proper sacrifices, burnt sacrifices and whole offerings;

then bulls will be sacrificed50 on your altar.51