51:1  To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. Have mercy upon me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness; according to the greatness of Your compassion, blot out my transgressions.

51:2  Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin,

51:3  For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.

51:4  Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done evil in Your sight, that You might be justified when You speak and be in the right when You judge.

51:5  Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.

51:6  Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts; and in the hidden part You shall make me to know wisdom.

51:7  Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

51:8  Make me to hear joy and gladness that the bones which You have broken may 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 steadfast 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 let Your free spirit uphold me.

51:13  Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners shall turn back to You.

51:14  Deliver me from the guilt of shedding blood, O God, O God of my salvation, then my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness.

51:15  O LORD, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare Your praise,

51:16  For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it; You do not take pleasure in burnt offering.

51:17  The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.

51:18  Do good in Your good pleasure to Zion; build the walls of Jerusalem.

51:19  Then shall You be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering; then they shall offer bulls upon Your altar.