# Psalms 51 [[Psalms 50|←]] • [[Psalms 52|→]] --- To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. ### 1 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. ### 2 Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. ### 3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin ever before me. ### 4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, be clear when thou judgest. ### 5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. ### 6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden thou shalt make me to know wisdom. ### 7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. ### 8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; the bones thou hast broken may rejoice. ### 9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. ### 10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. ### 11 Cast away me not from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. ### 12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me free spirit. ### 13 will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. ### 14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. ### 15 O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise. ### 16 For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give thou delightest not in burnt offering. ### 17 The sacrifices of God a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. ### 18 Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem. ### 19 Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.