A Prayer for Restoration
For the choir director. A psalm of David, when the prophet Nathan came to him after he had gone to Bathsheba. 51:title 2Sm 12:1
1 Be gracious to me, God,
according to your faithful love;
according to your abundant compassion,
blot out my rebellion. 51:1 Is 43:25; Ac 3:19
2 Completely wash away my guilt
and cleanse me from my sin. 51:2 Is 1:16; Jr 33:8; 1Jn 1:7,9
3 For I am conscious of my rebellion,
and my sin is always before me. 51:3 Ps 32:5; Pr 28:13; Is 59:12
4 Against you — you alone — I have sinned
and done this evil in your sight. 51:4 Ps 41:4
So you are right when you pass sentence;
you are blameless when you judge. 51:4 Rm 3:4
5 Indeed, I was guilty when I was born;
I was sinful when my mother conceived me. 51:5 Jb 15:14; Ps 58:3; Rm 5:12–13
6 Surely you desire integrity in the inner self,
and you teach me wisdom deep within. 51:6 Jb 38:36; Pr 2:6; Ec 2:26
7 Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. 51:7 Lv 14:4,49; Nm 19:18; Is 1:18
8 Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones you have crushed rejoice. 51:8 Ps 35:10; Is 38:13
9 Turn your face away 51:9 Lit Hide your face from my sins
and blot out all my guilt. 51:9 Jr 16:17
10 God, create a clean heart for me
and renew a steadfast 51:10 Or right spirit within me. 51:10 Ps 24:4; Mt 5:8; Jms 4:8
11 Do not banish me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me. 51:11 2Kg 13:23; Is 63:10–11; Jr 7:15
12 Restore the joy of your salvation to me,
and sustain me by giving me a willing spirit. 51:12 Ps 13:5
13 Then I will teach the rebellious your ways,
and sinners will return to you. 51:13 Ex 33:13; Ps 25:4; Jr 2:33
14 Save me from the guilt of bloodshed, God 51:14 Ps 26:9 —
God of my salvation —
and my tongue will sing of your righteousness. 51:14 Ps 35:28; 71:15
15 Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth will declare your praise. 51:15 Ex 4:15; Ps 9:14
16 You do not want a sacrifice, or I would give it;
you are not pleased with a burnt offering. 51:16 1Sm 15:22; Ps 40:6
17 The sacrifice pleasing to God is 51:17 Lit The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit.
You will not despise a broken and humbled heart, God. 51:17 Ps 34:18
18 In your good pleasure, cause Zion to prosper;
build the walls of Jerusalem. 51:18 Ps 69:35; 102:16; 147:2
19 Then you will delight in righteous sacrifices,
whole burnt offerings;
then bulls will be offered on your altar. 51:19 Ps 4:5; 66:13,15; Mal 3:3