1 For the Leader. A Psalm of David;
2 when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bath-sheba.
3 Be gracious unto me, O God, according to Thy mercy; According to the multitude of Thy compassions blot out my transgressions.
4 Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin.
5 For I know my transgressions; And my sin is ever before me.
6 Against Thee, Thee only, have I sinned, And done that which is evil in Thy sight; That Thou mayest be justified when Thou speakest, And be in the right when Thou judgest.
7 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.
8 Behold, Thou desirest truth in the inward parts; make me, therefore, to know wisdom in mine inmost heart.
9 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
10 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which Thou hast crushed may rejoice.
11 Hide Thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
12 Create me a clean heart, O God; and renew a stedfast spirit within me.
13 Cast me not away from Thy presence; and take not Thy holy spirit from me.
14 Restore unto me the joy of Thy salvation; and let a willing spirit uphold me.
15 Then will I teach transgressors Thy ways; and sinners shall return unto Thee. .
16 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, Thou God of my salvation; so shall my tongue sing aloud of Thy righteousness.
17 O Lord, open Thou my lips; and my mouth shall declare Thy praise.
18 For Thou delightest not in sacrifice, else would I give it; Thou hast no pleasure in burnt-offering.
19 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, Thou wilt not despise.
20 Do good in Thy favour unto Zion; build Thou the walls of Jerusalem.
21 Then wilt Thou delight in the sacrifices of righteousness, in burnt-offering and whole offering; Then will they offer bullocks upon Thine altar.