51 God, be merciful to me
    because of your faithful love.
Because of your great compassion,
    erase all the wrongs I have done.
² Scrub away my guilt.
    Wash me clean from my sin.
³ I know I have done wrong.
    I remember that sin all the time.
⁴ I did what you said is wrong.
    You are the one I have sinned against.
I say this so that people will know
    that I am wrong and you are right.
    What you decided is fair.
⁵ I was born to do wrong,
    a sinner before I left my mother’s womb.
⁶ You want me to be completely loyal,
    so put true wisdom deep inside of me.
⁷ Remove my sin and make me pure.^[a]
    Wash me until I am whiter than snow!
⁸ Let me hear sounds of joy and happiness again.
    Let the bones you crushed be happy again.
⁹ Don’t look at my sins.
    Erase them all.
¹⁰ God, create a pure heart in me,
    and make my spirit strong again.