Psalms Chapter 51

Psalm for the Choir Director. A Psalm of David,

When Nathan the Prophet Came to Him,

After He’d Slept with Bathsheba

¹ Be gracious to me, God, in proportion to your enduring love;

      according to your great mercy, blot out my transgressions.

² Wash me thoroughly from my sin;

      cleanse me from my iniquity.

³ I know my failings;

      my sin always weighs on my mind.

⁴ I’ve sinned against you and you only; 

      I did what you consider evil;

      so you’re justified in what you say to me,

            blameless when you condemn me.

Ps 51:1-4

⁵ I was born in sin;

      in iniquity my mother conceived me.

⁶ You want truth in the inward self;

      you’ll make me know wisdom in myself.

⁷ Purify me with hyssop, and I’ll be clean;

      wash me, and I’ll be whiter than snow.

⁸ Fill me with joy and happiness again,

         and let the bones you broke mend up.

⁹ Don’t look at my sins;

      blot out my iniquities.

Ps 51:5-9

¹⁰ Create a clean heart in me, God;

      renew a steadfast spirit within me.

¹¹ Don’t banish me from your presence

      or take your Holy Spirit away from me.

¹² Restore to me the joy your salvation brings;

      grant me a willing attitude to obey.

¹³ Then I’ll teach transgressors your ways;

      sinners will be converted to you.

¹⁴ Deliver me from being guilty of murder

      so I can joyfully sing about your goodness.

¹⁵ Yahveh, open my lips,

      so I can express your praises.

¹⁶ You don’t delight in sacrifice; otherwise, I’d give it;

            you’re not pleased with burnt offerings.

         ¹⁷The sacrifice you want is a broken spirit;

                  you appreciate a repentant heart.

¹⁸ In your good favor, do good to Zion;

      build up the walls around Jerusalem.

¹⁹ Then you’ll delight in godly sacrifices,

      in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings;

      then young bulls will again be offered on your altar.

Ps 51:10-19