(To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.) Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions. Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me. Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me. Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee. Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise. For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem. Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar." - Psalm 51
Here is another hymn based on Psalm 51: Gracious God, Our Hearts Renew
Earlier Posts on the Psalms:
- That Man is Blest (Psalm 1)
- On the Good and Faithful (Psalm 4)
- Lord, Our Lord Thy Glorious Name (Psalm 8)
- Wholehearted Thanksgiving to Thee I Will Bring (Psalm 9)
- In God Will I Trust. (Psalm 11) You may recognize this melody from other hymns, like How Firm a Foundation.
- Who, O Lord, With Thee Abiding (Psalm 15)
- When in the Night I Meditate (Psalm 16)
- Psalm 19: The Spacious Heavens Declare (Psalm 19)
- Amid the Thronging Worshippers (Psalm 22)
- The Lord's My Shepherd, I'll Not Want (Psalm 23)
- Jehovah is My Light (Psalm 27)
- Now Unto Jehovah Ye Sons of the Mighty (Psalm 29)
- O Lord by Thee Delivered (Psalm 30)
- How Blest is He Whose Tresspass (Psalm 32)
- Ye Children, Come, Give Ear to Me (Psalm 34)
- Be Thou My Helper in the Strife (Psalm 35)
- Thy Mercy and Thy Truth, O Lord (Psalm 36)
- In Thy Wrath and Hot Displeasure (Psalm 38)
- A Mighty Fortress is Our God (Psalm 46)
- Within Thy Temple, Lord (Psalm 48)
- The Mighty God, Jehovah Speaks (Psalm 50)
- God Be Merciful to Me (Psalm 51)