[1] To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came to
him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. [2] Have mercy on me, O God,
according to thy steadfast love; according to thy abundant mercy blot out
my transgressions. [3] Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me
from my sin! [4] For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before
me. [5] Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done that which is evil
in thy sight, so that thou art justified in thy sentence and blameless in
thy judgment. [6] Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did
my mother conceive me. [7] Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward being;
therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart. [8] Purge me with hyssop, and
I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. [9] Fill me
with joy and gladness; let the bones which thou hast broken rejoice. [10]
Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. [11] Create in
me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. [12]
Cast me not away from thy presence, and take not thy holy Spirit from me.
[13] Restore to me the joy of thy salvation, and uphold me with a willing
spirit. [14] Then I will teach transgressors thy ways, and sinners will
return to thee. [15] Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my
salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of thy deliverance. [16] O Lord,
open thou my lips, and my mouth shall show forth thy praise. [17] For thou
hast no delight in sacrifice; were I to give a burnt offering, thou wouldst
not be pleased. [18] The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a
broken and contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. [19] Do good to
Zion in thy good pleasure; rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, [ (Psalms 51:20)
then wilt thou delight in right sacrifices, in burnt offerings and whole
burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on thy altar. ]