For the choir director. A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. ¹ Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness;
According to the greatness of Your compassion blot out my transgressions. ² Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity
And cleanse me from my sin. ³ For I know my transgressions,
And my sin is ever before me. ⁴ Against You, You only, I have sinned
And done what is evil in Your sight,
So that You are justified when You speak
And blameless when You judge. ⁵ Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
And in sin my mother conceived me. ⁶ Behold, You desire truth in the innermost being,
And in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom. ⁷ Purify 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,
Let the bones which You have broken rejoice. ⁹ Hide Your face from my sins
And blot out all my iniquities. ¹⁰ Create in me a clean heart, O God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me. ¹¹ Do not cast me away from Your presence
And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me. ¹² Restore to me the joy of Your salvation
And sustain me with a willing spirit. ¹³ Then I will teach transgressors Your ways,
And sinners will be converted to You. ¹⁴ Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation;
Then my tongue will joyfully sing of Your righteousness. ¹⁵ O Lord, open my lips,
That my mouth may declare Your praise. ¹⁶ For You do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it;
You are not pleased with burnt offering. ¹⁷ The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise. ¹⁸ By Your favor do good to Zion;
Build the walls of Jerusalem. ¹⁹ Then You will delight in righteous sacrifices,
In burnt offering and whole burnt offering;
Then young bulls will be offered on Your altar.