Psalm 51:1-19 - Create In Me A Clean Heart, O God

1 {To the chanter, a Psalm of David, when the Prophet Nathan came unto him, after he was gone in to Bathsheba} Have mercy upon me, O God, after thy great goodness; according to the multitude of thy mercies do away mine offences. 2 Wash me well from my wickedness, and cleanse me from my sin. 3 For I acknowledge my faults, and my sin is ever before me. 4 Against thee only have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight, that thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and clear when thou shalt judge. 5 Behold, I was born in wickedness, and in sin hath my mother conceived me.

6 But lo, thou hast a pleasure in the truth, and hast showed me secret wisdom. 7 Thou shalt purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; thou shalt wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8 Oh let me hear of joy and gladness, that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. 9 Turn thy face from my sins, and put out all my misdeeds.

10 Make 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 O give me the comfort of thy help again, and establish me with thy free spirit. 13 Then shall I teach thy ways unto the wicked, that sinners may be converted unto thee.

14 Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, thou that art the God of my health; that my tongue may praise thy righteousness. 15 Open my lips, O LORD, that my mouth may show thy praise. 16 For if thou hadst pleasure in sacrifice, I would give it thee: but thou delightest not in burnt-offerings. 17 The sacrifice of God is a troubled spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, shalt thou not despise.

18 O be favourable and gracious unto Zion; build thou the walls of Jerusalem. 19 For then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifice of righteousness, with the burnt-offerings and oblations; then shall they lay bullocks upon thine altar.