Psalm 51
To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet went to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.
Have mercy upon me, O God, in your great goodness; according to the multitude of your mercies wipe away my offences.
Wash me thoroughly from my wickedness and cleanse me from my sin.
For I acknowledge my faults, and my sin is ever before me.
Against you only have I sinned, and done this evil in your sight, so that you are justified in your sentence, and blameless in your judgment.
Behold, I was brought forth in wickedness, and in sin my mother conceived me.
But behold, you desire truth in the inward parts and shall make me understand wisdom secretly.
You shall purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; you shall wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
You shall make me hear of joy and gladness, that the bones which you have broken may rejoice.
Turn your face from my sins, and blot out all my misdeeds.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your holy Spirit from me.
O give me the comfort of your help again, and sustain me with your willing Spirit.
Then shall I teach your ways unto the wicked, and sinners shall return unto you.
Deliver me from blood-guilt, O God, the God of my salvation, and my tongue shall sing of your righteousness.
O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall show forth your praise.
For you desire no sacrifice, or else I would give it to you; but you delight not in burnt-offerings.
The sacrifice of God is a troubled spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you shall not despise.
O be favorable and gracious unto Zion; may you build up the walls of Jerusalem.
Then you shall be pleased with the sacrifice of righteousness, with the burnt-offerings and oblations; then shall they offer young bullocks upon your altar.
© Anglican Church in North America. Used by permission.