To the Director: A Davidic Psalm. When the prophet Nathan came to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.

A Prayer for Cleansing and Pardon

1Have mercy, God, according to your gracious love,

according to your unlimited compassion,

erase my transgressions.

2Wash me from my iniquity,

cleanse me from my sin.

3For I acknowledge my transgression;

my sin remains continuously before me.

4Against you, you only, have I sinned,

and done what was evil in your sight.

As a result, you are just in your pronouncement

and clear in your judgment.

5Indeed, in iniquity I was brought forth;

in sin my mother conceived me.

6Indeed, you are pleased with truth in the inner person,

and you will teach me wisdom in mya innermost parts.

7Purge me with hyssop,

and I will be clean.

Wash me,

and I will be whiter than snow.

8Let me knowb joy and gladness;

let the bones that you have broken rejoice.

9Hide your countenance from my sins

and erase the record of my iniquities.

10God, create a pure heart in me,

and renew a right attitude within me.

11Do not cast me from your presence;

do not take your Holy Spirit from me.

12Restore to me the joy of your salvation,

and let a willing attitude control me.

13Then I will teach transgressors about your ways,

and sinners will turn to you.

14Deliver me from the guilt of shedding blood,c

God, God of my salvation.

Then my tongue will sing about your righteousness.

15Lord, open my lips,

and my mouth will declare your praise.

16Indeed, you do not delight in sacrifices,

or I would give them,

nor do you desire burnt offerings.

17True sacrifice to Godd is a broken spirit.

A broken and chastened heart, God,

you will not despise.

18Show favor to Zion in your good pleasure;

and rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.

19Then you will be pleased with right sacrifices,

with burnt offerings, and with whole burnt offerings.

Then they will offer bulls on your altar.