Psalm 51 — O God Be Merciful to Me

O God, be merciful to me,

Because of thy great grace;

And the abundance of thy love

Let my transgressions raze.

Me cleanse from sin, and throughly wash

From mine iniquity;

For my transgressions I confess;

My sin I ever see.

'Gainst thee, thee only, have I sinned,

In thy sight done this ill;

That when thou speak'st thou may'st be just,

And clear in judging still.

Behold, I in iniquity

Was formed the womb within;

My mother also me conceived

In guiltiness and sin.

Behold, thou in the inward parts

With truth delighted art;

And wisdom thou shalt make me know

Within the hidden part.

Do thou with hyssop sprinkle me,

I shall be cleansed so;

Yea, wash thou me, and then I shall

Be whiter than the snow.

Of gladness and of joyfulness

Make me to hear the voice;

That so these very bones which thou

Hast broken may rejoice.

A clean heart, O my God, in me

Create thou, and renew

A right and constant spirit, Lord,

Within the heart of me.

Cast me not from thy presence, Lord;

Take not thy Spirit blest

Away from me: restore to me

Joy of thy saving rest.

O Lord my God, do thou my lips

In mercy open wide;

And then my mouth shall to the world

Thy praises show with pride.