A Psalm of Asaph.
[51:1] Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.
[51:2] Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!
[51:3] For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.
[51:4] Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight, so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your judgment.
[51:5] Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.
[51:6] Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.
[51:7] Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
[51:8] Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice.
[51:9] Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.
[51:10] Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
[51:11] Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
[51:12] Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.
[51:13] Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you.
[51:14] Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.
[51:15] O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.
[51:16] For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it; you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.
[51:17] The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
[51:18] Do good to Zion in your good pleasure; build up the walls of Jerusalem;
[51:19] then will you delight in right sacrifices, in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on your altar.