Psalm 51 1-18

1 Have mercy on me, O God, in your great goodness; ¨
according to the abundance of your compassion
blot out my offences.
2 Wash me thoroughly from my wickedness ¨
and cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I acknowledge my faults ¨
and my sin is ever before me.
4 Against you only have I sinned ¨
and done what is evil in your sight,
5 So that you are justified in your sentence ¨
and righteous in your judgement.
6 I have been wicked even from my birth, ¨
a sinner when my mother conceived me.
7 Behold, you desire truth deep within me ¨
and shall make me understand wisdom
in the depths of my heart.
8 Purge me with hyssop and I shall be clean; ¨
wash me and I shall be whiter than snow.
9 Make me hear of joy and gladness, ¨
that the bones you have broken may rejoice.
10 Turn your face from my sins ¨
and blot out all my misdeeds.
11 Make me a clean heart, O God, ¨
and renew a right spirit within me.
12 Cast me not away from your presence ¨
and take not your holy spirit from me.
13 Give me again the joy of your salvation ¨
and sustain me with your gracious spirit;
14 Then shall I teach your ways to the wicked ¨
and sinners shall return to you.
15 Deliver me from my guilt, O God,
the God of my salvation, ¨
and my tongue shall sing of your righteousness.
16 O Lord, open my lips ¨
and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.
17 For you desire no sacrifice, else I would give it; ¨
you take no delight in burnt offerings.
18 The sacrifice of God is a broken spirit; ¨
a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.