Psalms 51

KING JAMES BIBLE	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.	1 For the leader. A psalm of David,
2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.	2 when Nathan the prophet came to him after his affair with Bathsheba.
3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.	3 Have mercy on me, God, in your goodness; in your abundant compassion blot out my offense.
4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.	4 Wash away all my guilt; from my sin cleanse me.
5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.	5 For I know my offense; my sin is always before me.
6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know 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 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.	7 True, I was born guilty, a sinner, even as my mother conceived me.
8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.	8 Still, you insist on sincerity of heart; in my inmost being teach me wisdom.
9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.	9 Cleanse me with hyssop, that I may be pure; wash me, make me whiter than snow.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.	10 Let me hear sounds of joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.	11 Turn away your face from my sins; blot out all my guilt.
12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.	12 A clean heart create for me, God; renew in me a steadfast spirit.
13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.	13 Do not drive me from your presence, nor take from me your holy spirit.
14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.	14 Restore my joy in your salvation; sustain in me a willing spirit.
15 O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.	15 I will teach the wicked your ways, that sinners may return to you.
16 For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.	16 Rescue me from death, God, my saving God, that my tongue may praise your healing power.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.	17 Lord, open my lips; my mouth will proclaim your praise.
18 Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.	18 For you do not desire sacrifice; a burnt offering you would not accept.
19 Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine 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.