Chapter 51

  {To the chief Musician. A Psalm of David; when Nathan the prophet came to him, after he had gone in to Bath-sheba.} Be gracious unto me, O God, according to thy loving-kindness; according to the abundance of thy tender mercies, blot out my transgressions.  

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  Wash me fully from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.  

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  For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is continually before me.  

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  Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done what is evil in thy sight; that thou mayest be justified when thou speakest, be clear when thou judgest.  

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  Behold, in iniquity was I brought forth, and in sin did my mother conceive me.  

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  Behold, thou wilt have truth in the inward parts; and in the hidden [part] thou wilt make me to know wisdom.  

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  Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.  

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  Make me to hear gladness and joy; [that] the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.  

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  Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.  

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  Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.  

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  Cast me not away from thy presence, and take not the spirit of thy holiness from me.  

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  Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation, and let a willing spirit sustain me.  

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  I will teach transgressors thy ways, and sinners shall return unto thee.  

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  Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.  

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  Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare thy praise.  

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  For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou hast no pleasure in burnt-offering.  

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  The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.  

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  Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion; build the walls of Jerusalem.  

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  Then shalt thou have sacrifices of righteousness, burnt-offering, and whole burnt-offering; then shall they offer up bullocks upon thine altar.  

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