Psalms 51

Psalm 511

For the music director; a psalm of David, written when Nathan the prophet confronted him after David’s affair with Bathsheba.2

51:1 Have mercy on me, O God, because of3 your loyal love!

Because of4 your great compassion, wipe away my rebellious acts!5

51:2 Wash away my wrongdoing!6

Cleanse me of my sin!7

51:3 For I am aware of8 my rebellious acts;

I am forever conscious of my sin.9

51:4 Against you – you above all10 – I have sinned;

I have done what is evil in your sight.

So11 you are just when you confront me;12

you are right when you condemn me.13

51:5 Look, I was guilty of sin from birth,

a sinner the moment my mother conceived me.14

51:6 Look,15 you desire16 integrity in the inner man;17

you want me to possess wisdom.18

51:7 Sprinkle me19 with water20 and I will be pure;21

wash me22 and I will be whiter than snow.23

51:8 Grant me the ultimate joy of being forgiven!24

May the bones25 you crushed rejoice!26

51:9 Hide your face27 from my sins!

Wipe away28 all my guilt!

51:10 Create for me a pure heart, O God!29

Renew a resolute spirit within me!30

51:11 Do not reject me!31

Do not take your Holy Spirit32 away from me!33

51:12 Let me again experience the joy of your deliverance!

Sustain me by giving me the desire to obey!34

51:13 Then I will teach35 rebels your merciful ways,36

and sinners will turn37 to you.

51:14 Rescue me from the guilt of murder,38 O God, the God who delivers me!

Then my tongue will shout for joy because of your deliverance.39

51:15 O Lord, give me the words!40

Then my mouth will praise you.41

51:16 Certainly42 you do not want a sacrifice, or else I would offer it;43

you do not desire a burnt sacrifice.44

51:17 The sacrifices God desires are a humble spirit45

O God, a humble and repentant heart46 you will not reject.47

51:18 Because you favor Zion, do what is good for her!48

Fortify49 the walls of Jerusalem!50

51:19 Then you will accept51 the proper sacrifices, burnt sacrifices and whole offerings;

then bulls will be sacrificed52 on your altar.53

Next Chapter