David prays for remission of sins, whereof he makes a deep confession.

For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David, when Nathan the prophet came to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.

51:1 Have mercy on me, God, according to your loving kindness.
According to the multitude of your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions.

51:2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity.
Cleanse me from my sin.

51:3 For I know my transgressions.
My sin is constantly before me.

51:4 Against you, and you only, have I sinned,
and done that which is evil in your sight;
that you may be proved right when you speak,
and justified when you judge.

51:5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity.
In sin my mother conceived me.

He prays for sanctification.

51:6 Behold, you desire truth in the inward parts.
You teach me wisdom in the inmost place.

51:7 Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean.
Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

51:8 Let me hear joy and gladness,
That the bones which you have broken may rejoice.

51:9 Hide your face from my sins,
and blot out all of my iniquities.

51:10 Create in me a clean heart, O God.
Renew a right spirit within me.

51:11 Don’t throw me from your presence,
and don’t take your holy Spirit from me.

51:12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation.
Uphold me with a willing spirit.

51:13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways.
Sinners shall be converted to you.

51:14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation.
My tongue shall sing aloud of your righteousness.

51:15 Lord, open my lips.
My mouth shall declare your praise.

God delights not in sacrifice, but in sincerity.

51:16 For you don’t delight in sacrifice, or else I would give it.
You have no pleasure in burnt offering.

51:17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit.
A broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

He prays for the church.

51:18 Do well in your good pleasure to Zion.
Build the walls of Jerusalem.

51:19 Then you will delight in the sacrifices of righteousness,
in burnt offerings and in whole burnt offerings.
Then they will offer bulls on your altar.