Psalms 51

NEW JERUSALEM	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 [For the choirmaster Of David When the prophet Nathan had come to him because he had gone toBathsheba] Have mercy on me, O God, in your faithful love, in your great tenderness wipe away my offences;	1 For the leader. A psalm of David,
2 wash me clean from my guilt, purify me from my sin.	2 when Nathan the prophet came to him after his affair with Bathsheba.
3 For I am wel aware of my offences, my sin is constantly in mind.	3 Have mercy on me, God, in your goodness; in your abundant compassion blot out my offense.
4 Against you, you alone, I have sinned, I have done what you see to be wrong, that you may show yoursaving justice when you pass sentence, and your victory may appear when you give judgement,	4 Wash away all my guilt; from my sin cleanse me.
5 remember, I was born guilty, a sinner from the moment of conception.	5 For I know my offense; my sin is always before me.
6 But you delight in sincerity of heart, and in secret you teach me wisdom.	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 Purify me with hyssop till I am clean, wash me til I am whiter than snow.	7 True, I was born guilty, a sinner, even as my mother conceived me.
8 Let me hear the sound of joy and gladness, and the bones you have crushed wil dance.	8 Still, you insist on sincerity of heart; in my inmost being teach me wisdom.
9 Turn away your face from my sins, and wipe away al my guilt.	9 Cleanse me with hyssop, that I may be pure; wash me, make me whiter than snow.
10 God, create in me a clean heart, renew within me a resolute spirit,	10 Let me hear sounds of joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
11 do not thrust me away from your presence, do not take away from me your spirit of holiness.	11 Turn away your face from my sins; blot out all my guilt.
12 Give me back the joy of your salvation, sustain in me a generous spirit.	12 A clean heart create for me, God; renew in me a steadfast spirit.
13 I shal teach the wicked your paths, and sinners will return to you.	13 Do not drive me from your presence, nor take from me your holy spirit.
14 Deliver me from bloodshed, God, God of my salvation, and my tongue wil acclaim your savingjustice.	14 Restore my joy in your salvation; sustain in me a willing spirit.
15 Lord, open my lips, and my mouth wil speak out your praise.	15 I will teach the wicked your ways, that sinners may return to you.
16 Sacrifice gives you no pleasure, burnt offering you do not desire.	16 Rescue me from death, God, my saving God, that my tongue may praise your healing power.
17 Sacrifice to God is a broken spirit, a broken, contrite heart you never scorn.	17 Lord, open my lips; my mouth will proclaim your praise.
18 In your graciousness do good to Zion, rebuild the wal s of Jerusalem.	18 For you do not desire sacrifice; a burnt offering you would not accept.
19 Then you wil delight in upright sacrifices,-burnt offerings and whole oblations -- and young bul s will be offered on your altar.	19 My sacrifice, God, is a broken spirit; God, do not spurn a broken, humbled heart.
	20 Make Zion prosper in your good pleasure; rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
	21 Then you will be pleased with proper sacrifice, burnt offerings and holocausts; then bullocks will be offered on your altar.