Psalm 51: Create in Me a Clean Heart, O God
David's prayer of repentance and plea for a renewed, right spirit.
Psalm 51 is David's confession, pleading for mercy 'according to thy lovingkindness' after acknowledging his transgressions and sin. Verse 10, 'Create in me a clean heart, O God,' is explored further at Psalms 51:10, a request that follows the courtroom judgment of Psalms 50.
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came to him, after he had gone in to Bath-sheba. Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy loving-kindness: according to the multitude of thy tender mercies, blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
\\51:1\\To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came to him, after he had gone in to Bath-sheba. Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy loving-kindness: according to the multitude of thy tender mercies, blot out my transgressions.
\\51:2\\Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
\\51:3\\For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
\\51:4\\Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mayest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
\\51:5\\Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
\\51:6\\Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
\\51:7\\Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
\\51:8\\Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
\\51:9\\Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.
\\51:10\\Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
\\51:11\\Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
\\51:12\\Restore to me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
\\51:13\\Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted to thee.
\\51:14\\Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.
\\51:15\\O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall show forth thy praise.
\\51:16\\For thou desirest not sacrifice: else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt-offering.
\\51:17\\The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
\\51:18\\Do good in thy good pleasure to Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.
\\51:19\\Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt-offering and whole burnt-offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thy altar.