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 parts1 51:6 The meaning of the Hebrew for this phrase is uncertain. ;
you teach2 51:6 Or you desired?; / you taught 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 are3 51:17 Or My sacrifice, O God, is 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. |
