Psalm 51
Words: The Scottish Psalter
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone into Bathsheba
1 After thy loving-kindness, Lord,
have mercy upon me:
For thy compassions great, blot out
all mine iniquity.
2 Me cleanse from sin, and thoroughly wash
from mine iniquity:
3 For my transgressions I confess;
my sin I ever see.
4 'Gainst thee, thee only, have I sinned,
in thy sight done this ill;
That when thou speak'st thou may'st be just,
and clear in judging still.
5 Behold, I in iniquity
was formed the womb within;
My mother also me conceived
in guiltiness and sin.
6 Behold, thou in the inward parts
with truth delighted art;
And wisdom thou shalt make me know
within the hidden part.
7 Do thou with hyssop sprinkle me,
I shall be cleansed so;
Yea, wash thou me, and then I shall
be whiter than the snow.
8 Of gladness and of joyfulness
make me to hear the voice;
That so these very bones which thou
hast broken may rejoice.
9 All mine iniquities blot out,
thy face hide from my sin.
10 Create a clean heart, Lord, renew
a right sp'rit me within.
11 Cast me not from thy sight, nor take
thy Holy Sp'rit away.
12 Restore me thy salvation's joy;
with thy free Sp'rit me stay.
13 Then will I teach thy ways unto
those that transgressors be;
And those that sinners are shall then
be turned unto thee.
14 O God, of my salvation God,
me from blood-guiltiness
Set free; then shall my tongue aloud
sing of thy righteousness.
15 My closèd lips, O Lord, by thee
let them be opened;
Then shall thy praises by my mouth
abroad be publishèd.
16 For thou desir'st not sacrifice,
else would I give it thee;
Nor wilt thou with burnt-offering
at all delighted be.
17 A broken spirit is to God
a pleasing sacrifice:
A broken and a contrite heart,
Lord, thou wilt not despise.
18 Show kindness, and do good, O Lord,
to Zion, thine own hill:
The walls of thy Jerusalem
build up of thy good will.
19 Then righteous off 'rings shall thee please,
and off 'rings burnt, which they
With whole burnt-off 'rings, and with calves,
shall on thine altar lay.
