Psalms 51

₁You 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

my terrible guilt.

₄You 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

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 feel sorrow

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.