1
Have mercy on me, O God,
because of your unfailing love.
Because of your great compassion,
blot out the stain of my sins.
2
Wash me clean from my guilt.
Purify me from my sin.
3
For I recognize my rebellion;
it haunts me day and night.
4
Against you, and you alone, have I sinned;
I have done what is evil in your sight.
You will be proved right in what you say,
and your judgment against me is just. 1
5
For I was born a sinner -
yes, from the moment my mother conceived me.
6
But you desire honesty from the womb, 2
teaching me wisdom even there.
7
Purify me from my sins, 3 and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
8
Oh, give me back my joy again;
you have broken me -
now let me rejoice.
9
Don’t keep looking at my sins.
Remove the stain of my guilt.
10
Create in me a clean heart, O God.
Renew a loyal spirit within me.
11
Do not banish me from your presence,
and don’t take your Holy Spirit 4 from me.
12
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and make me willing to obey you.
13
Then I will teach your ways to rebels,
and they will return to you.
14
Forgive me for shedding blood, O God who saves;
then I will joyfully sing of your forgiveness.
15
Unseal my lips, O Lord,
that my mouth may praise you.
16
You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one.
You do not want a burnt offering.
17
The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit.
You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.
18
Look with favor on Zion and help her;
rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
19
Then you will be pleased with sacrifices offered in the right spirit -
with burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings.
Then bulls will again be sacrificed on your altar.