Psalm 51 :: New Living Translation (NLT)

Psa 51:1

Psa 51:1For the choir director: A psalm of David, regarding the time Nathan the prophet came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.

Have mercy on me, O God,
because of your unfailing love.
Because of your great compassion,
blot out the stain of my sins.

Psa 51:2

Psa 51:2Wash me clean from my guilt.
Purify me from my sin.

Psa 51:3

Psa 51:3For I recognize my rebellion;
it haunts me day and night.

Psa 51:4

Psa 51:4Against you, and you alone, have I sinned;
I have done what is evil in your sight.
You will be proved right in what you say,
and your judgment against me is just.[fn]

Psa 51:5

Psa 51:5For I was born a sinner—
yes, from the moment my mother conceived me.

Psa 51:6

Psa 51:6But you desire honesty from the womb,[fn]
teaching me wisdom even there.

Psa 51:7

Psa 51:7Purify me from my sins,[fn] and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

Psa 51:8

Psa 51:8Oh, give me back my joy again;
you have broken me—
now let me rejoice.

Psa 51:9

Psa 51:9Don’t keep looking at my sins.
Remove the stain of my guilt.

Psa 51:10

Psa 51:10Create in me a clean heart, O God.
Renew a loyal spirit within me.

Psa 51:11

Psa 51:11Do not banish me from your presence,
and don’t take your Holy Spirit[fn] from me.

Psa 51:12

Psa 51:12Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and make me willing to obey you.

Psa 51:13

Psa 51:13Then I will teach your ways to rebels,
and they will return to you.

Psa 51:14

Psa 51:14Forgive me for shedding blood, O God who saves;
then I will joyfully sing of your forgiveness.

Psa 51:15

Psa 51:15Unseal my lips, O Lord,
that my mouth may praise you.

Psa 51:16

Psa 51:16You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one.
You do not want a burnt offering.

Psa 51:17

Psa 51:17The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit.
You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.

Psa 51:18

Psa 51:18Look with favor on Zion and help her;
rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.

Psa 51:19

Psa 51:19Then you will be pleased with sacrifices offered in the right spirit—
with burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings.
Then bulls will again be sacrificed on your altar.