Psalm 51

Contemporary English Version

(For the music leader. A psalm by David when the prophet Nathan came to him after David had been with Bathsheba.)

A Prayer for Forgiveness

¹^(A) You are kind, God!
    Please have pity on me.
You are always merciful!
    Please wipe away my sins.
²Wash me clean from all
    of my sin and guilt.
³I know about my sins,
and I cannot forget
    the burden of my guilt.
⁴^(B) You are really the one
    I have sinned against;
I have disobeyed you
    and have done wrong.
So it is right and fair for you
    to correct and punish me.

⁵I have sinned and done wrong
    since the day I was born.
⁶But you want complete honesty,
    so teach me true wisdom.
⁷Wash me with hyssop^[a]
until I am clean
    and whiter than snow.
⁸Let me be happy and joyful!
You crushed my bones,
    now let them celebrate.
⁹Turn your eyes from my sin
    and cover my guilt.
¹⁰Create pure thoughts in me
    and make me faithful again.
¹¹Don't chase me away from you
or take your Holy Spirit
    away from me.

¹²Make me as happy as you did
when you saved me;
    make me want to obey!
¹³I will teach sinners your Law,
    and they will return to you.
¹⁴Keep me from any deadly sin.
    Only you can save me!
Then I will shout and sing
    about your power to save.

¹⁵Help me to speak,
    and I will praise you, Lord.
¹⁶Offerings and sacrifices
    are not what you want.
¹⁷The way to please you
is to be truly sorry
    deep in our hearts.
This is the kind of sacrifice
    you won't refuse.

¹⁸Please be willing, Lord,
to help the city of Zion
    and to rebuild its walls.
¹⁹Then you will be pleased
    with the proper sacrifices,
and we will offer bulls
    on your altar once again.