51:1 [To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet went to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.] Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. 51:2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin! 51:3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. 51:4 Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment. 51:5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. 51:6 Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart. 51:7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 51:8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice. 51:9 Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. 51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. 51:11 Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. 51:12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit. 51:13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you. 51:14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness. 51:15 O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise. 51:16 For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering. 51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. 51:18 Do good to Zion in your good pleasure; build up the walls of Jerusalem; 51:19 then will you delight in right sacrifices, in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on your altar.