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Psalm 51
For the director of music. A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.
Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
blot out my transgressions.
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Wash away all my iniquity
and cleanse me from my sin.
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For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is always before me.
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Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you are proved right when you speak
and justified when you judge.
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Surely I was sinful at birth,
sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
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Surely you desire truth in the inner parts;
you teach me wisdom in the inmost place.
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Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
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Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
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Hide your face from my sins
and blot out all my iniquity.
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Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
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Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.
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Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
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Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
and sinners will turn back to you.
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Save me from bloodguilt, O God,
the God who saves me,
and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.
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O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth will declare your praise.
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You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
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The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart,
O God, you will not despise.
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In your good pleasure make Zion prosper;
build up the walls of Jerusalem.
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Then there will be righteous sacrifices,
whole burnt offerings to delight you;
then bulls will be offered on your altar.