Psalm 51

For the choir director. A psalm of David, when the prophet Nathan came to him after David had slept with Bathsheba.

1Be gracious to me, God, in keeping with your steadfast love; in keeping with your great compassion, wipe out my transgressions.

2Wash my guilt away from me thoroughly, and purify me from my sin.

3For I myself recognize my transgressions, and my sin is constantly in front of me.

4It is against you alone that I have sinned, and what is evil in your eyes I have done, so that you are right when you speak and blameless when you judge.

5Surely I was born in guilt, and in sin my mother conceived me.

6Surely what you desire is truth deep within; in the hidden place you teach me wisdom.

7Cleanse me from sin with hyssop, and I will be pure; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

8Let joy and gladness sound in my ears; let the bones you shattered rejoice.

9Turn your face away from my sins, and wipe out all my guilty deeds.

10God, create a clean heart for me, and renew a steadfast spirit inside me.

11Do not drive me from your presence, and do not withdraw your Holy Spirit from me.

12Bring back to me the gladness of your salvation, and hold me up with a generous spirit.

13I will teach your ways to those who transgress, and sinners will turn back to you.

14God, God of my salvation, rescue me from bloodguilt, and my tongue will joyfully sing your righteousness.

15Lord, open my lips, so that my mouth may make your praise known.

16For you have no desire for sacrifice, or I would give it; burnt offering does not please you.

17God’s sacrifices are a broken spirit; a heart broken and crushed, God, you will not scorn.

18As it pleases you, show Zion your goodness; build the walls of Jerusalem.

19Then you will take pleasure in sacrifices that are right, in burnt offering and whole offering; then bulls will go up on your altar.