Psalm 5142
For the music director; a psalm of David, written when Nathan the prophet confronted
him after David’s affair with Bathsheba43
51:1 Have mercy on me, O God,
because of1
your loyal love!
Because of2
your great compassion, wipe away my rebellious acts!3
51:2 Scrub away my wrongdoing!4
Cleanse me of my sin!5
51:3 For I am aware of6
my rebellious acts,
I am forever conscious of my sin.7
51:4 Against you, especially you,8
I have sinned,
I have done what is sinful in your sight.
So9
you are just when you confront me,10
you are right when you condemn me.11
51:5 Look, I was prone to do wrong from birth,
I was a sinner the moment my mother conceived me.12
51:6 Look,13
you desire14
integrity in the inner man,15
you want me to possess wisdom.16
51:7 Sprinkle me17
with water18
and I will be pure,19
Wash me20
and I will be whiter than snow.21
51:8 Give me the ecstatic joy of being forgiven!22
May the bones23
you crushed rejoice!24
51:9 Hide your face25
from my sins!
Wipe away26
all my wrong acts!
51:10 Create for me a pure heart!27
Transform me and give me integrity!28
51:11 Do not reject me!29
Do not take your Holy Spirit30
away from me!31
51:12 Let me again experience the joy of your deliverance!
Sustain me by giving me the desire to obey!32
51:13 Then I will teach33
rebels your merciful ways,34
and sinners will turn35
to you.
51:14 Rescue me from the guilt of murder,36
O God, the God who delivers me!
Then my tongue will shout for joy because of your deliverance.37
51:15 O sovereign master, give me reason to celebrate!38
Then my mouth will praise you.39
51:16 Certainly40
you do not want a sacrifice, or else I would offer it,41
you do not desire a burnt sacrifice.42
51:17 The “sacrifices” of God are a
humble attitude.43
O God, a humble and repentant heart44
you will not reject.45
51:18 Be favorably disposed to Zion!46
Build47
the walls of Jerusalem!
51:19 Then you will accept48
the proper sacrifices, burnt sacrifices and whole offerings,
then bulls will be sacrificed49
upon your altar.50