Book Second
51
1. To the chief musician; a psalm of David,
2. When Nathan the prophet came unto him, as he had gone unto Bathsheba.
3. Be gracious unto me, Ο God, according unto thy mercy: according unto the multitude of thy compassions blot out my transgressions.
4. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
5. For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin [is] continually before me.
6. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and I have done the evil in thine eyes; in order that thou mayest be justified when thou speakest, and be pure when thou judgest.
7. Behold, in iniquity was I born, and in sin did my mother conceive me.
8. Behold, thou hast desired truth in the inward parts, and in the hidden [part] thou wilt make me to know wisdom.
9. Thou wilt purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; thou wilt wash me, and I shall become whiter than snow.
10. Thou wilt make me to hear joy and gladness; the bones [which] thou hast broken shall rejoice.
11. Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
12. Create for me a pure heart, Ο God, and all established spirit renew thou within me.
13. Cast me not out from thy presence and take not thy Holy Spirit from me.
14. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation, and let a free spirit uphold me.
15. I will teach transgressors thy ways, and sinners shall turn unto thee.
16. Deliver me from blood, Ο God, the God of my salvation; my tongue shall celebrate thy righteousness.
17. Ο Lord, thou wilt open my lips, and my mouth shall declare thy praise.
18. For thou delightest not in sacrifice, else would I give it; in burnt-offering thou dost not take pleasure.
19. The sacrifices of God [are] a broken spirit; a heart broken and contrite, Ο God, thou despisest not.
20. Do good, in thy favor, to Zion; thou wilt build the walls of Jerusalem.
21. Then wilt thou delight in sacrifices of righteousness, burnt-offering and whole burnt-offering; then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altars.