To the director. A melody of David, when Nathan the prophet came in to him after David had relations with Bath-sheʹba.+
51 Show me favor, O God, according to your loyal love.+
Blot out my transgressions according to your great mercy.+
2 Thoroughly wash me from my error,+
And cleanse me from my sin.+
3 For I am well-aware of my transgressions,
And my sin is always before me.+
4 Against you—you above all—I have sinned;+
What is bad in your eyes I have done.+
Therefore, you are righteous when you speak,
You are right in your judgment.+
5 Look! I was born guilty of error,
And my mother conceived me in sin.+
6 Look! You find pleasure in truth in the inner person;+
Teach my innermost self true wisdom.
7 Purify me from my sin with hyssop, so that I will be clean;+
Wash me, so that I will be whiter than snow.+
8 Let me hear sounds of joy and rejoicing,
So that the bones you crushed will rejoice.+
9 Turn your face away from my sins,+
And wipe away all my errors.+
10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,+
And put within me a new spirit,+ a steadfast one.
11 Do not cast me out from your presence;
And do not take your holy spirit away from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation;+
Stir within me a willingness to obey you.
13 I will teach transgressors your ways,+
So that sinners will return to you.
14 Save me from bloodguilt,+ O God, the God of my salvation,+
So that my tongue may joyfully declare your righteousness.+
15 O Jehovah, open my lips,
So that my mouth may declare your praise.+
16 For you do not want a sacrifice—otherwise I would give it;+
You do not find delight in a whole burnt offering.+
17 The sacrifices pleasing to God are a broken spirit;
A heart broken and crushed, O God, you will not reject.+
18 In your goodwill do what is good for Zion;
Build up the walls of Jerusalem.
19 Then you will take delight in the sacrifices of righteousness,
The burnt sacrifices and the whole offerings;
Then bulls will be offered up on your altar.+