THE PSALM 51 - A Prayer for Cleansing

           

1	Have mercy upon me, O God,          according to thy loving-kindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
2	Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity,          and cleanse me from my sin.
3	For I acknowledge my transgressions:          and my sin is ever before me.
4	Against thee, thee only, have I sinned,          and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
5	Behold, I was shapen in iniquity;          and in sin did my mother conceive me.
6	Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts:          and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
7	Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean:          wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8	Make me to hear joy and gladness;          that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
9	Hide thy face from my sins,          and blot out all mine iniquities.
10	Create in me a clean heart, O God;          and renew a right spirit within me.
11	Cast me not away from thy presence;          and take not thy Holy Spirit from me.
12	Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation;          and uphold me with thy free Spirit.
13	Then will I teach transgressors thy ways;          and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
14	Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God,          thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.
15	O Lord, open thou my lips;          and my mouth shall show forth thy praise.
16	For thou desirest not sacrifice;          else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.
17	The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit:          a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
18	Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion:          build thou the walls of Jerusalem.
19	Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness,          with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.