Psalms 51

1Unto the end, understanding for David,

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

2When Doeg the Edomite came and told Saul: David went to the house of Achimelech.

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

3Why dost thou glory in malice, thou that art mighty in iniquity?

3For I am conscious of my error; my sin is ever before me.

4All the day long thy tongue hath devised injustice: as a sharp razor, thou hast wrought deceit.

4Against 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.

5Thou hast loved malice more than goodness: and iniquity rather than to speak righteousness.

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

6Thou hast loved all the words of ruin, O deceitful tongue.

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

7Therefore will God destroy thee for ever: he will pluck thee out, and remove thee from thy dwelling place: and thy root out of the land of the living.

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

8The just shall see and fear, and shall laugh at him, and say:

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

9Behold the man that made not God his helper: But trusted in the abundance of his riches: and prevailed in his vanity.

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

10But I, as a fruitful olive tree in the house of God, have hoped in the mercy of God for ever, yea for ever and ever.

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

11I will praise thee for ever, because thou hast done it: and I will wait on thy name, for it is good in the sight of thy saints.

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

12(not in this translation)

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

13(not in this translation)

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

14(not in this translation)

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

15(not in this translation)

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

16(not in this translation)

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

17(not in this translation)

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

18(not in this translation)

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

19(not in this translation)

19Then 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.