PSALM 51

A Contrite Sinner’s Prayer for Pardon.

For the choir director. A Psalm of David, when †Nathan the prophet came to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.

1 aBe gracious to me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness;

According to the greatness of bYour compassion cblot out my transgressions.

2 aWash me thoroughly from my iniquity

And bcleanse me from my sin.

3 For 1I aknow my transgressions,

And my sin is ever before me.

4 aAgainst You, You only, I have sinned

And done what is bevil in Your sight,

So that cYou 1are justified 2when You speak

And 3blameless when You judge.

5 Behold, I was abrought forth in iniquity,

And in sin my mother conceived me.

6 Behold, You desire atruth in the 1innermost being,

And in the hidden part You will bmake me know wisdom.

7 1Purify me awith hyssop, and I shall be clean;

2Wash me, and I shall be bwhiter than snow.

8 1Make me to hear ajoy and gladness,

Let the bbones which You have broken rejoice.

9 aHide Your face from my sins

And blot out all my iniquities.

10 aCreate 1in me a bclean heart, O God,

And renew 2a csteadfast spirit within me.

11 aDo not cast me away from Your presence

And do not take Your bHoly Spirit from me.

12 Restore to me the ajoy of Your salvation

And sustain me with a bwilling spirit.

13 Then I will ateach transgressors Your ways,

And sinners will 1be bconverted to You.

14 Deliver me from abloodguiltiness, O God, bthe God of my salvation;

Then my ctongue will joyfully sing of Your righteousness.

15 O Lord, 1aopen my lips,

That my mouth may bdeclare Your praise.

16 For You ado not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it;

You are not pleased with burnt offering.

17 The sacrifices of God are a abroken spirit;

A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.

18 aBy Your favor do good to Zion;

1bBuild the walls of Jerusalem.

19 Then You will delight in 1arighteous sacrifices,

In bburnt offering and whole burnt offering;

Then 2young bulls will be offered on Your altar.