Psalm 51. Miserere mei, Deus.

1. HAVE mercy upon me, O God, after thy great goodness; *
   according to the multitude of thy mercies do away mine offences.
2. Wash me throughly from my wickedness, *
   and cleanse me from my sin.
3. For I acknowledge my faults, *
   and my sin is ever before me.
4. Against thee only have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight; *
   that thou mightest be justified in thy saying, and clear when thou shalt judge.
5. Behold, I was shapen in wickedness, *
   and in sin hath my mother conceived me.
6. But lo, thou requirest truth in the inward parts, *
   and shalt make me to understand wisdom secretly.
7. Thou shalt purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; *
   thou shalt wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8. Thou shalt make me hear of joy and gladness, *
   that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
9. Turn thy face from my sins, *
   and put out all my misdeeds.
10. Make 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. O give me the comfort of thy help again, *
    and stablish me with thy free Spirit.
13. Then shall I teach thy ways unto the wicked, *
    and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
14. Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, thou that art the God of my health; *
    and my tongue shall sing of thy righteousness.
15. Thou shalt open my lips, O Lord, *
    and my mouth shall show thy praise.
16. For thou desirest no sacrifice, else would I give it thee; *
    but thou delightest not in burnt-offerings.
17. The sacrifice of God is a troubled spirit: *
    a broken and contrite heart, O God, shalt thou not despise.
18. O be favourable and gracious unto Sion; *
    build thou the walls of Jerusalem.
19. Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifice of righteousness, with the burnt-offerings and oblations; *
    then shall they offer young bullocks upon thine altar.