Psalm 51 | King James Version

1 To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.

2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.

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.

5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.

6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.

7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.

9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.

11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.

12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.

14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.

15 O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.

16 For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it : thou delightest not in burnt offering.

17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

18 Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.

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.

King James Bible (1769). Public Domain. Please note the following exceptions for use and publication in the United Kingdom: Cambridge University Press

New International Reader’s Version

For the director of music. A psalm of David when the prophet Nathan came to him. Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.

1 God, have mercy on me according to your faithful love. Because your love is so tender and kind, wipe out my lawless acts.

2 Wash away all the evil things I’ve done. Make me pure from my sin.

3 I know the lawless acts I’ve committed. I can’t forget my sin.

4 You are the one I’ve really sinned against. I’ve done what is evil in your sight. So you are right when you sentence me. You are fair when you judge me.

5 I know I’ve been a sinner ever since I was born. I’ve been a sinner ever since my mother became pregnant with me.

6 I know that you wanted faithfulness even when I was in my mother’s body. You taught me wisdom in that secret place.

7 Sprinkle me with hyssop, then I shall be clean. Wash me, then I shall be whiter than snow.

8 Let me hear you say, ‘Your sins are forgiven.’ That will bring me joy and gladness. Let the body you have broken be glad.

9 Take away all my sins. Wipe away all the evil things I’ve done.

10 God, create a pure heart in me. Give me a new spirit that is faithful to you.

11 Don’t send me away from you. Don’t take your Holy Spirit away from me.

12 Give me back the joy that comes from being saved by you. Give me a spirit that obeys you so that I will keep going.

13 Then I will teach your ways to those who commit lawless acts. And sinners will turn back to you.

14 You are the God who saves me. I have committed murder. God, take away my guilt. Then my tongue will sing about how right you are no matter what you do.

15 Lord, open my lips so that I can speak. Then my mouth will praise you.

16 You don’t take delight in sacrifice. If you did, I would bring it. You don’t take pleasure in burnt offerings.

17 The greatest sacrifice you want is a broken spirit. God, you will gladly accept a heart that is broken because of sadness over sin.

18 May you be pleased to give Zion success. May it please you to build up the walls of Jerusalem.

19 Then you will delight in the sacrifices of those who do what is right. Whole burnt offerings will bring delight to you. And bulls will be offered on your altar.

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