Psalms 51

1Unto the end, understanding for David,

1Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.

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

2Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

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

3For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.

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

4Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.

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

5Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.

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

6Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know 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.

7Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

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

8Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.

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

9Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.

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.

10Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

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.

11Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.

12(not in this translation)

12Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

13(not in this translation)

13Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.

14(not in this translation)

14Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.

15(not in this translation)

15O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.

16(not in this translation)

16For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.

17(not in this translation)

17The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

18(not in this translation)

18Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.

19(not in this translation)

19Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.