Psalms 51

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