Have mercy on me O God,
according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
blot out my transgressions.
wash away all my iniquity
and cleanse me from my sin.
For i know my transgressions,
and my sin is always before me.
Against you, you only have i sinned
and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you are proved right when you speak
and justified when you judge.
surely i was sinful at birth,
sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
surely u desire truth in the inner parts;
u teach me wisdom in the inmost place.
cleanse 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 sins
and blot out all my iniquity.
create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me from your presence
or take your holy spirit from me.
Restore me to the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit,
to sustain me.
then i will teach transgressors your ways
and sinners will turn back to you.
save me from bloodguilt, O God,
the God who saves me
and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.
O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth will declare your praise.
you do not delight in sacrifice, or i would bring it;
you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
the sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart
O God you will not despise.
in your good pleasure, make Zion prosper;
build up the walls of jerusalem.
then there will be righteous sacrifices,
whole burnt offerings to delight you;
then bulls will be offered on your altar.
-psalm 51
