[1] Written after Nathan the prophet had come to inform David of God's judgment against him because of his adultery with Bathsheba, and his murder of Uriah, her husband. O loving and kind God, have mercy. Have pity upon me and take away the awful stain of my transgressions. [2] Oh, wash me, cleanse me from this guilt. Let me be pure again. [3] For I admit my shameful deed-it haunts me day and night. [4] It is against you and you alone I sinned and did this terrible thing. You saw it all, and your sentence against me is just. [5] But I was born a sinner, yes, from the moment my mother conceived me. [6] You deserve honesty from the heart; yes, utter sincerity and truthfulness. Oh, give me this wisdom. [7] Sprinkle me with the cleansing blood and I shall be clean again. Wash me and I shall be whiter than snow. [8] And after you have punished me, give me back my joy again. [9] Don't keep looking at my sins-erase them from your sight. [10] Create in me a new, clean heart, O God, filled with clean thoughts and right desires. [11] Don't toss me aside, banished forever from your presence. Don't take your Holy Spirit from me. [12] Restore to me again the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. [13] Then I will teach your ways to other sinners, and they-guilty like me-will repent and return to you. [14] Don't sentence me to death. O my God, you alone can rescue me. Then I will sing of your forgiveness, for my lips will be unsealed-oh, how I will praise you. [16] You don't want penance; if you did, how gladly I would do it! You aren't interested in offerings burned before you on the altar. [17] It is a broken spirit you want-remorse and penitence. A broken and a contrite heart, O God, you will not ignore. [18] And Lord, don't punish Israel for my sins-help your people and protect Jerusalem. [19] And when my heart is right, then you will rejoice in the good that I do* and in the bullocks I bring to sacrifice upon your altar.
