Create in Me a Clean Heart, O God

(2 Samuel 12:1–12)

For the choirmaster. A Psalm of David. When Nathan the prophet came to him after his adultery with Bathsheba.

51 Have mercy on me,[fn] O God,

according to Your loving devotion;

according to Your great compassion,

blot out my transgressions.

2 Wash me clean of my iniquity

and cleanse me from my sin.

3 For I know my transgressions,

and my sin is always before me.

4 Against You, You only, have I sinned

and done what is evil in Your sight,

so that You may be proved right when You speak

and blameless when You judge.[fn]

5 Surely I was brought forth in iniquity;

I was sinful when my mother conceived me.

6 Surely You desire truth in the inmost being;

You teach me wisdom in the inmost place.

7 Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean;

wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

8 Let me hear joy and gladness;

let the bones You have crushed rejoice.

9 Hide Your face from my sins

and blot out all my iniquities.

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God,

and renew a right spirit within me.

11 Cast me not away from Your presence;

take not Your Holy Spirit from me.

12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,

and sustain me with a willing spirit.

13 Then I will teach transgressors Your ways,

and sinners will return to You.

14 Deliver me from bloodguilt, O God,

the God of my salvation,

and my tongue will sing of Your righteousness.

15 O Lord, open my lips,

and my mouth will declare Your praise.

16 For You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;

You take no pleasure in burnt offerings.

17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;

a broken and a contrite heart,

O God, You will not despise.

18 In Your good pleasure, cause Zion to prosper;

build up the walls of Jerusalem.

19 Then You will delight in righteous sacrifices,

in whole burnt offerings;

then bulls will be offered on Your altar.