Psalm 51 (Tate & Brady)

1 Have mercy, Lord, on me,

as thou wert ever kind;

Let me, oppressed with loads of guilt,

thy wonted mercy find.

2 Wash off my foul offence,

and cleanse me from my sin;

For I confess my crime, and see

how great my guilt has been.

4 Against thee, Lord, alone,

and only in thy sight

Have I transgressed, and tho' condemned,

must own my juugments right.

5 In guilt each part was formed

of all this sinful frame;

In guilt I was conceived, and born

the heir of sin and shame.

6 Yet thou; whose searching eye

doth inward truth require,

In secret didst with wisdom's laws

my tender soul inspire.

7 With hyssop purge me, Lord,

and so I clean shall be;

I shall with snow in whiteness vie,

when purified by thee.

8 Make me to hear with joy

thy kind forgiving voice;

That so the bones which thou hast broke

may with fresh strength rejoice.

9,10 Blot out my crying sins,

nor me in anger view;

Create in me a heart that's clean,

an upright mind renew.

The Second Part.

11 Withdraw not thou thy help,

nor cast me from thy sight;

Nor let thy holy Spirit take

its everlasting flight.

12 The joy thy favor gives

let me again obtain;

And thy free Spirit's firm support

my fainting soul sustain.

13 So I thy righteous ways

to sinners will impart,

Whilst my advice shall wicked men

to thy just laws convert.

14 My guilt of blood remove,

my Saviour and my God:

And my glad tongue shall loudly tell

thy righteous acts abroad.

15 Do thou unlock my lips,

with sorrow closed and shame;

So shall my mouth thy wondrous praise

to all the world proclaim.

16 Could sacrifice atone,

whole flocks and herds should die

But on such off'rings thou disdain'st

to cast a gracious eye.

17 A broken spirit is

by God most highly prized;

By him a broken contrite heart

shall never be despised.

18 Let Zion favor find,

of thy good-will assured;

And thy own city flourish long,

by lofty walls secured.

19 The just shall then attend,

and pleasing tribute pay;

And sacrifice of choicest kind

upon thy altar lay.