Psalm 51(50) Miserere mei, Deus
1 (To the choir-master. A psalm. Of David,
2 when the prophet Nathan came to reproach him for his
adultery with Bethsabee.)
3 Have mercy on me, O God, as thou art ever rich in mercy;
in the abundance of thy compassion, blot out the record of my misdeeds.
4 Wash me clean, cleaner yet, from my guilt, purge me of my
sin,
5 the guilt which I freely acknowledge, the sin which is
never lost to my sight.
6 Thee only my sins have offended; it is thy will I have
disobeyed; thy sentence was deserved, and still when thou givest award thou
hast right on thy side.
7 For indeed, I was born in sin; guilt was with me already
when my mother conceived me.
8 But thou art a lover of faithfulness, and now, deep in my
heart, thy wisdom has instructed me.
9 Sprinkle me with a wand of hyssop, and I shall be clean;
washed, I shall be whiter than snow;
10 tidings send me of good news and rejoicing, and the body
that lies in the dust shall thrill with pride.
11 Turn thy eyes away from my sins, blot out the record of
my guilt;
12 my God, bring a clean heart to birth within me; breathe
new life, true life, into my being.
13 Do not banish me from thy presence, do not take thy holy
spirit away from me;
14 give me back the comfort of thy saving power, and
strengthen me in generous resolve.
15 So will I teach the wicked to follow thy paths; sinners
shall come back to thy obedience.
16 My God, my divine Deliverer, save me from the guilt of
bloodshed! This tongue shall boast of thy mercies;
17 O Lord, thou wilt open my lips, and my mouth shall tell
of thy praise.
18 Thou hast no mind for sacrifice, burnt-offerings, if I
brought them, thou wouldst refuse;
19 here, O God, is my sacrifice, a broken spirit; a heart
that is humbled and contrite thou, O God, wilt never disdain.
20 Lord, in thy great love send prosperity to Sion, so that
the walls of Jerusalem may rise again.
21 Then indeed thou wilt take pleasure in solemn sacrifice,
in gift and burnt-offering; then indeed bullocks will be laid upon thy altar. (KNOX)
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