Psalm 51

For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David; when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. 1Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness:
According to the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. 2Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity,
And cleanse me from my sin. 3For I know my transgressions;
And my sin is ever before me. 4Against thee, thee only, have I sinned,
And done that which is evil in thy sight;
That thou mayest be justified when thou speakest,
And be clear when thou judgest. 5Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity;
And in sin did my mother conceive me. 6Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts;
And in the hidden part thou wilt make me to know wisdom. 7Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean:
Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8Make me to hear joy and gladness,
That the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. 9Hide thy face from my sins,
And blot out all mine iniquities. 10Create in me a clean heart, O God;
And renew a right spirit within me. 11Cast me not away from thy presence;
And take not thy holy Spirit from me. 12Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation;
And uphold me with a willing spirit. 13Then will I teach transgressors thy ways;
And sinners shall be converted unto thee. 14Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation;
And my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. 15O Lord, open thou my lips;
And my mouth shall show forth thy praise. 16For thou delightest not in sacrifice; else would I give it:
Thou hast no pleasure in burnt-offering.

17The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit:
A broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. 18Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion:
Build thou the walls of Jerusalem. 19Then wilt thou delight in the sacrifices of righteousness,
In burnt-offering and whole burnt-offering:
Then will they offer bullocks upon thine altar.