Psalms 51

1To the Overseer. --A Psalm of David, in the coming in unto him of Nathan the prophet, when he hath gone in unto Bath-Sheba. Favour me, O God, according to Thy kindness, According to the abundance of Thy mercies, Blot out my transgressions.

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

1Unto the end, understanding for David,

2Thoroughly wash me from mine iniquity, And from my sin cleanse me,

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

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

3For my transgressions I do know, And my sin <FI>is<Fi> before me continually.

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

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

4Against Thee, Thee only, I have sinned, And done the evil thing in Thine eyes, So that Thou art righteous in Thy words, Thou art pure in Thy judging.

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.

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

5Lo, in iniquity I have been brought forth, And in sin doth my mother conceive me.

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

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

6Lo, truth Thou hast desired in the inward parts, And in the hidden part Wisdom Thou causest me to know.

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

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

7Thou cleansest me with hyssop and I am clean, Washest me, and than snow I am whiter.

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

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.

8Thou causest me to hear joy and gladness, Thou makest joyful bones Thou hast bruised.

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

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

9Hide Thy face from my sin. And all mine iniquities blot out.

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

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

10A clean heart prepare for me, O God, And a right spirit renew within me.

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

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.

11Cast me not forth from Thy presence, And Thy Holy Spirit take not from me.

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

12Restore to me the joy of Thy salvation, And a willing spirit doth sustain me.

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

12(not in this translation)

13I teach transgressors Thy ways, And sinners unto Thee do return.

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

13(not in this translation)

14Deliver me from blood, O God, God of my salvation, My tongue singeth of Thy righteousness.

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

14(not in this translation)

15O Lord, my lips thou dost open, And my mouth declareth Thy praise.

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

15(not in this translation)

16For Thou desirest not sacrifice, or I give <FI>it<Fi> , Burnt-offering Thou acceptest not.

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

16(not in this translation)

17The sacrifices of God <FI>are<Fi> a broken spirit, A heart broken and bruised, O God, Thou dost not despise.

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

17(not in this translation)

18Do good in Thy good pleasure with Zion, Thou dost build the walls of Jerusalem.

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

18(not in this translation)

19Then Thou desirest sacrifices of righteousness, Burnt-offering, and whole burnt-offering, Then they offer bullocks on thine altar!

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.

19(not in this translation)