The Book of Psalms
Psalms 51
For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. When Nathan the prophet came to him after his adultery with Bathsheba.
Create in Me a Clean Heart, O God
1 Have mercy on me, O God,according to Your loving devotion;according to Your great compassion,blot out my transgressions.Or Be gracious to me
Wash me clean of my iniquityand cleanse me from my sin.
For I know my transgressions,and my sin is always before me.
Against You, You only, have I sinnedand done what is evil in Your sight,so that You may be proved right when You speakand blameless when You judge.LXX and victorious when You judge; cited in Romans 3:4
Surely I was brought forth in iniquity;I was sinful when my mother conceived me.
Surely You desire truth in the inmost being;You teach me wisdom in the inmost place.
Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean;wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
Let me hear joy and gladness;let the bones You have crushed rejoice.
Hide Your face from my sinsand blot out all my iniquities.
Create in me a clean heart, O God,and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from Your presence;take not Your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,and sustain me with a willing spirit.
Then I will teach transgressors Your ways,and sinners will return to You.
Deliver me from bloodguilt, O God,the God of my salvation,and my tongue will sing of Your righteousness.
O Lord, open my lips,and my mouth will declare Your praise.
For You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;You take no pleasure in burnt offerings.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;a broken and a contrite heart,O God, You will not despise.
In Your good pleasure, cause Zion to prosper;build up the walls of Jerusalem.
Then You will delight in righteous sacrifices,in whole burnt offerings;then bulls will be offered on Your altar.