Shared Word Translation
Psalm 51
A Prayer for Mercy and Renewal
Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your steadfast love.
According to your abundant compassion,
blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my guilt,
and cleanse me from my sin.
For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is always before me.
Against you, you alone, have I sinned,
and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you are justified in your words
and blameless in your judgment.
Indeed, I was born into brokenness,
and in sin my mother conceived me.
Yet you desire truth in the inward being;
you teach me wisdom in the hidden place.
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
Hide your face from my sins,
and blot out all my guilt.
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from your presence,
and do not take your holy spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and sustain me with a willing spirit.
Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
and those who turn aside will return to you.
Deliver me from bloodshed, O God,
O God of my salvation,
and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.
O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth will declare your praise.
For you do not delight in sacrifice,
or I would give it;
you take no pleasure in burnt offerings.
The sacrifice acceptable to God
is a broken spirit;
a broken and crushed heart,
O God, you will not despise.
Do good to Zion in your good pleasure;
rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
Then you will delight in right sacrifices,
in burnt offerings and whole offerings;
then bulls will be offered on your altar.