Psalm 51
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. e
1 Be gracious to me, God,
according to your faithful love;
according to your abundant compassion,
blot out my rebellion. f
2 Completely wash away my guilt
and cleanse me from my sin. g
3 For I am conscious of my rebellion,
and my sin is always before me. h
4 Against you—you alone—I have sinned
and done this evil in your sight. i
So you are right when you pass sentence;
you are blameless when you judge. j
5 Indeed, I was guilty when I was born;
I was sinful when my mother conceived me. k
6 Surely you desire integrity in the inner self,
and you teach me wisdom deep within. l
7 Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. m
8 Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones you have crushed rejoice. n
9 Turn your face away V from my sins
and blot out all my guilt. o
10 God, create a clean heart for me
and renew a steadfast W spirit within me. p
11 Do not banish me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me. q
12 Restore the joy of your salvation to me,
and sustain me by giving me a willing spirit. r
13 Then I will teach the rebellious your ways,
and sinners will return to you. s
14 Save me from the guilt of bloodshed, God t—
God of my salvation—
and my tongue will sing of your righteousness. u
and my mouth will declare your praise. v
16 You do not want a sacrifice, or I would give it;
you are not pleased with a burnt offering. w
17 The sacrifice pleasing to God is X a broken spirit.
You will not despise a broken and humbled heart, God. x
18 In your good pleasure, cause Zion to prosper;
build the walls of Jerusalem. y
19 Then you will delight in righteous sacrifices,
whole burnt offerings;
then bulls will be offered on your altar. z