Psalms 51

NEW AMERICAN BIBLE	CATHOLIC PUBLIC DOMAIN
1 For the leader. A psalm of David,	1 Unto the end. The understanding of David.
2 when Nathan the prophet came to him after his affair with Bathsheba.	2 When Doeg the Edomite came and reported to Saul, David went to the house of Ahimelech.
3 Have mercy on me, God, in your goodness; in your abundant compassion blot out my offense.	3 Why do you glory in malice, you who are powerful in iniquity?
4 Wash away all my guilt; from my sin cleanse me.	4 All day long your tongue thinks up injustice. Like a sharp razor, you have wrought deceit.
5 For I know my offense; my sin is always before me.	5 You have loved malice above goodness, and iniquity more than speaking righteousness.
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 You have loved all precipitous words, you deceitful tongue.
7 True, I was born guilty, a sinner, even as my mother conceived me.	7 Because of this, God will destroy you in the end. He will pull you up, and he will remove you from your tabernacle and your root from the land of the living.
8 Still, you insist on sincerity of heart; in my inmost being teach me wisdom.	8 The just will see and be afraid, and they will laugh over him, and say:
9 Cleanse me with hyssop, that I may be pure; wash me, make me whiter than snow.	9 “Behold the man who did not set God as his helper. But he hoped in the multitude of his riches, and so he prevailed in his emptiness.”
10 Let me hear sounds of joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice.	10 But I, like a fruitful olive tree in the house of God, have hoped in the mercy of God unto eternity, and forever and ever.
11 Turn away your face from my sins; blot out all my guilt.	11 I will confess to you forever, because you have accomplished it. And I will wait on your name, for it is good in the sight of your saints.
12 A clean heart create for me, God; renew in me a steadfast spirit.
13 Do not drive me from your presence, nor take from me your holy spirit.
14 Restore my joy in your salvation; sustain in me a willing spirit.
15 I will teach the wicked your ways, that sinners may return to you.
16 Rescue me from death, God, my saving God, that my tongue may praise your healing power.
17 Lord, open my lips; my mouth will proclaim your praise.
18 For you do not desire sacrifice; a burnt offering you would not accept.
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.