New Living Translation

Psalms • Chapter 51

1 Have mercy on me, O God (Elohim),<br>because of your unfailing love.<br>Because of your great compassion,<br>blot out the stain of my sins.<br> 2 Wash me clean from my guilt.<br>Purify me from my sin.<br> 3 For I recognize my rebellion;<br>it haunts me day and night.<br> 4 Against you, and you alone, have I sinned;<br>I have done what is evil in your sight.<br>You will be proved right in what you say,<br>and your judgment against me is just.<br> 5 For I was born a sinner —<br>yes, from the moment my mother conceived me.<br> 6 But you desire honesty from the womb,<br>teaching me wisdom even there.<br> 7 Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean;<br>wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.<br> 8 Oh, give me back my joy again;<br>you have broken me —<br>now let me rejoice.<br> 9 Don’t keep looking at my sins.<br>Remove the stain of my guilt.<br> 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God (Elohim).<br>Renew a loyal spirit within me.<br> 11 Do not banish me from your presence,<br>and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me.<br> 12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation,<br>and make me willing to obey you.<br> 13 Then I will teach your ways to rebels,<br>and they will return to you.<br> 14 Forgive me for shedding blood, O God (Elohim) who saves;<br>then I will joyfully sing of your forgiveness.<br> 15 Unseal my lips, O Lord,<br>that my mouth may praise you.<br> 16 You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one.<br>You do not want a burnt offering.<br> 17 The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit.<br>You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God (Elohim).<br> 18 Look with favor on Zion and help her;<br>rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.<br> 19 Then you will be pleased with sacrifices offered in the right spirit —<br>with burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings.<br>Then bulls will again be sacrificed on your altar.<br>