Psalms 51

DOUAI-RHEIMS	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 Unto the end, a psalm of David,	1 For the leader. A psalm of David,
2 when Nathan the prophet came to him after he had sinned with Bethsabee.	2 when Nathan the prophet came to him after his affair with Bathsheba.
3 Have mercy on me, O God, according to thy great mercy. And according to the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my iniquity.	3 Have mercy on me, God, in your goodness; in your abundant compassion blot out my offense.
4 Wash me yet more from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.	4 Wash away all my guilt; from my sin cleanse me.
5 For I know my iniquity, and my sin is always before me.	5 For I know my offense; my sin is always before me.
6 To thee only have I sinned, and have done evil before thee: that thou mayst be justified in thy words and mayst overcome when thou art judged.	6 Against you alone have I sinned; I have done such evil in your sight That you are just in your sentence, blameless when you condemn.
7 For behold I was conceived in iniquities; and in sins did my mother conceive me.	7 True, I was born guilty, a sinner, even as my mother conceived me.
8 For behold thou hast loved truth: the uncertain and hidden things of thy wisdom thou hast made manifest to me.	8 Still, you insist on sincerity of heart; in my inmost being teach me wisdom.
9 Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be cleansed: thou shalt wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow.	9 Cleanse me with hyssop, that I may be pure; wash me, make me whiter than snow.
10 To my hearing thou shalt give joy and gladness: and the bones that have been humbled shall rejoice.	10 Let me hear sounds of joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
11 Turn away thy face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.	11 Turn away your face from my sins; blot out all my guilt.
12 Create a clean heart in me, O God: and renew a right spirit within my bowels.	12 A clean heart create for me, God; renew in me a steadfast spirit.
13 Cast me not away from thy face; and take not thy holy spirit from me.	13 Do not drive me from your presence, nor take from me your holy spirit.
14 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation, and strengthen me with a perfect spirit.	14 Restore my joy in your salvation; sustain in me a willing spirit.
15 I will teach the unjust thy ways: and the wicked shall be converted to thee.	15 I will teach the wicked your ways, that sinners may return to you.
16 Deliver me from blood, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall extol thy justice.	16 Rescue me from death, God, my saving God, that my tongue may praise your healing power.
17 O Lord, thou wilt open my lips: and my mouth shall declare thy praise.	17 Lord, open my lips; my mouth will proclaim your praise.
18 For if thou hadst desired sacrifice, I would indeed have given it: with burnt offerings thou wilt not be delighted.	18 For you do not desire sacrifice; a burnt offering you would not accept.
19 A sacrifice to God is an afflicted spirit: a contrite and humbled heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.	19 My sacrifice, God, is a broken spirit; God, do not spurn a broken, humbled heart.
20 Deal favourably, O Lord, in thy good will with Sion; that the walls of Jerusalem may be built up.	20 Make Zion prosper in your good pleasure; rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
21 Then shalt thou accept the sacrifice of justice, oblations and whole burnt offerings: then shall they lay calves upon thy altar.	21 Then you will be pleased with proper sacrifice, burnt offerings and holocausts; then bullocks will be offered on your altar.