Be Merciful

Psalm 51 by David.

1 Be merciful to me, O God,
 because of your constant love.
Because of your great mercy
 wipe away my sins!
2 Wash away all my evil and
 make me clean from my sin!
3 I recognize my faults;
 I am always conscious of my sins.
4 I have sinned against you—only against you—
 and done what you consider evil.
So you are right in judging me;
 you are justified in condemning me.
5 I have been evil from the day I was born;
 from the time I was conceived,
 I have been sinful.
6 Sincerity and truth are what you require;
 fill my mind with your wisdom.
7 Remove my sin, and I will be clean;
 wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
8 Let me hear the sounds of joy and gladness;
 and though you have crushed me and broken me,
 I will be happy once again.
9 Close your eyes to my sins and wipe out all my evil.
10 Create a pure heart in me,
 O God, and put a new and loyal spirit in me.
11 Do not banish me from your presence;
 do not take your holy spirit away from me.
12 Give me again the joy
that comes from your salvation,
 and make me willing to obey you.
13 Then I will teach sinners your commands,
 and they will turn back to you.
14 Spare my life, O God, and save me,
 and I will gladly proclaim your righteousness.
15 Help me to speak, Lord,
 and I will praise you.
16 You do not want sacrifices,
 or I would offer them;
 you are not pleased with burnt offerings.
17 My sacrifice is a humble spirit, O God;
 you will not reject a humble and repentant heart.