1 To the chief music-maker. A Psalm. Of David.\

2 \51:1\When Nathan the prophet came to him, after he had gone in to Bath-sheba.

3 \51:1\Have pity on me, O God, in your mercy; out of a full heart, take away my sin.

4 \51:2\Let all my wrongdoing be washed away, and make me clean from evil.

5 \51:3\For I am conscious of my error; my sin is ever before me.

6 \51:4\Against you, you only, have I done wrong, working that which is evil in your eyes; so that your words may be seen to be right, and you may be clear when you are judging.

7 \51:5\Truly, I was formed in evil, and in sin did my mother give me birth.

8 \51:6\Your desire is for what is true in the inner parts: in the secrets of my soul you will give me knowledge of wisdom.

9 \51:7\Make me free from sin with hyssop: let me be washed whiter than snow.

10 \51:8\Make me full of joy and rapture; so that the bones which have been broken may be glad.

11 \51:9\Let your face be turned from my wrongdoing, and take away all my sins.

12 \51:10\Make a clean heart in me, O God; give me a right spirit again.

13 \51:11\Do not put me away from before you, or take your holy spirit from me.

14 \51:12\Give me back the joy of your salvation; let a free spirit be my support.

15 \51:13\Then will I make your ways clear to wrongdoers; and sinners will be turned to you.

16 \51:14\Be my saviour from violent death, O God, the God of my salvation; and my tongue will give praise to your righteousness.

17 \51:15\O Lord, let my lips be open, so that my mouth may make clear your praise.

18 \51:16\You have no desire for an offering or I would give it; you have no delight in burned offerings.

19 \51:17\The offerings of God are a broken spirit; a broken and sorrowing heart, O God, you will not put from you.

20 \51:18\Do good to Zion in your good pleasure, building up the walls of Jerusalem.

21 \51:19\Then you will have delight in the offerings of righteousness, in burned offerings and offerings of beasts; then they will make offerings of oxen on your altar.