THE *BOOK OF
PSALMS.
Psalm 51 ©
David, being fallen into great sins and reproved for it by the prophet Nathan and roused up, prays most fervently for mercy and forgiveness through the Messiah, with a confession not only for these actual sins, but also of his original corruption; desiring, moreover, that God would renew His Holy Spirit within him, that by the Same he may be supported, and others instructed by him, promising God thankfulness with unfeigned repentance; and prays at last for the preservation of the entire church.
To the 1chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the propheta came unto him, after he had 2gone inb to Bath-sheba.
HAVE mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the 3multitude of thy tender mercies 4blot out my transgressions.
Wash me 5throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
For I 6acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
Against thee, thee 7only, have I sinned, and done this 8evil in thy sight: thatc thou mightest be 9justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
Behold, I was 10shapen in 11iniquity; and in sin did my mother 12conceive me.
Behold, thou desirest 13truth in the 14inward parts: and in the 15hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
Purge me with 16hyssop,d and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Make me to 17hear joy and gladness; that the 18bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
19Hide thy face from my sins, and 20blot out all mine iniquities.
21Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a 22right spirit within me.
23Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy 24holy spirit from me.
Restore unto me the 25joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy 26free spirit.
27Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
Deliver me from 28bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy 29righteousness.
O Lord, 30open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.
For thou desirest 31not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.
The sacrifices 32of God are a broken spirit: a 33broken and a 34contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
Do good 35in thy good pleasure unto 36Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.
Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of 37righteousness, with burnt offering and 38whole burnt offering: then shall 39they offer bullocks upon thine altar.