NRSV Psalms 51 Chapter
51:1
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 alone, have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are justified in your sentence and blameless when you pass judgment.
51:5
Indeed, I was born guilty, a sinner when my mother conceived me.
51:6
You desire truth in the inward being; therefore teach me wisdom in my 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 crushed 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 put a new and right spirit within me.
51:11
Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your holy spirit from me.
51:12
Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain in me a willing spirit.
51:13
Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you.
51:14
Deliver me from bloodshed, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your deliverance.
51:15
O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.
51:16
For you have no delight in sacrifice; if I were to give a burnt offering, you would not be pleased.
51:17
The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
51:18
Do good to Zion in your good pleasure; rebuild the walls of Jerusalem,
51:19
then you will delight in right sacrifices, in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on your altar.