Previous Chapter Full Page Full Page Next Chapter

Psalm 51 :: Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

A Prayer for Restoration

For the choir director. A psalm of David, when the prophet Nathan came to him after he had gone to Bathsheba.

Psa 51:1

Be gracious to me, God,

according to your faithful love;

according to your abundant compassion,

blot out my rebellion.

Psa 51:2

Completely wash away my guilt

and cleanse me from my sin.

Psa 51:3

For I am conscious of my rebellion,

and my sin is always before me.

Psa 51:4

Against you ​— ​you alone ​— ​I have sinned

and done this evil in your sight.

So you are right when you pass sentence;

you are blameless when you judge.

Psa 51:5

Indeed, I was guilty when I was born;

I was sinful when my mother conceived me.

Psa 51:6

Surely you desire integrity in the inner self,

and you teach me wisdom deep within.

Psa 51:7

Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean;

wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

Psa 51:8

Let me hear joy and gladness;

let the bones you have crushed rejoice.

Psa 51:9

Turn your face away[fn] from my sins

and blot out all my guilt.

Psa 51:10

God, create a clean heart for me

and renew a steadfast[fn] spirit within me.

Psa 51:11

Do not banish me from your presence

or take your Holy Spirit from me.

Psa 51:12

Restore the joy of your salvation to me,

and sustain me by giving me a willing spirit.

Psa 51:13

Then I will teach the rebellious your ways,

and sinners will return to you.

Psa 51:14

Save me from the guilt of bloodshed, God —

God of my salvation —

and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.

Psa 51:15

Lord, open my lips,

and my mouth will declare your praise.

Psa 51:16

You do not want a sacrifice, or I would give it;

you are not pleased with a burnt offering.

Psa 51:17

The sacrifice pleasing to God is[fn] a broken spirit.

You will not despise a broken and humbled heart, God.

Psa 51:18

In your good pleasure, cause Zion to prosper;

build the walls of Jerusalem.

Psa 51:19

Then you will delight in righteous sacrifices,

whole burnt offerings;

then bulls will be offered on your altar.

CSB Footnotes
Lit Hide your face
Or right
Lit The sacrifices of God are
Translation Copyright Logo

Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017, 2020 by Holman Bible Publishers.

Additional information is provided here.

For more information on this translation, see the CSB Preface.

Psalm Chapter 51 — Additional Translations: