^1. Psalm 51 For the director of music. A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.

^1. Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions.

^2. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.

^3. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.

^4. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are proved right when you speak and justified when you judge.

^5. Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.

^6. Surely you desire truth in the inner parts [2] ; you teach [1] me wisdom in the inmost place.

^7. Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

^8. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice.

^9. Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity.

^10. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

^11. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me.

^12. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

^13. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will turn back to you.

^14. Save me from bloodguilt, O God, the God who saves me, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.

^15. O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.

^16. You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.

^17. The sacrifices of God are [3] a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

^18. In your good pleasure make Zion prosper; build up the walls of Jerusalem.

^19. Then there will be righteous sacrifices, whole burnt offerings to delight you; then bulls will be offered on your altar.