Study Desk

For the choir director. A Davidic psalm, when Nathan the prophet came to him after he had gone to Bathsheba.^(a)

Be gracious to me, God, according to Your faithful love; according to Your abundant compassion, blot out my rebellion.^(b)

Wash away my guilt and cleanse me from my sin.^(c)

For I am conscious of my rebellion, and my sin is always before me.^(d)

Against You—You alone—I have sinned and done this evil in Your sight.^(e) So You are right when You pass sentence; You are blameless when You judge.^(f)

Indeed, I was guilty when I was born; I was sinful when my mother conceived me.^(g)

Surely You desire integrity in the inner self, and You teach me wisdom deep within.^(h)

Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.⁽ⁱ⁾

Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones You have crushed rejoice.^(j)

Turn Your face away^[a] from my sins and blot out all my guilt.^(k)

God, create a clean heart for me and renew a steadfast^[b] spirit within me.^(l)

Do not banish me from Your presence or take Your Holy Spirit from me.^(m)

Restore the joy of Your salvation to me, and give me a willing spirit.^[c](n)

Then I will teach the rebellious Your ways, and sinners will return to You.^(o)

Save me from the guilt of bloodshed, God,^(p) the God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing of Your righteousness.^(q)

Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise.^(r)

You do not want a sacrifice, or I would give it; You are not pleased with a burnt offering.^(s)

The sacrifice pleasing to God is^[d] a broken spirit. God, You will not despise a broken and humbled heart.^(t)

In Your good pleasure, cause Zion to prosper; build^[e] the walls of Jerusalem.^(u)

Then You will delight in righteous sacrifices, whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on Your altar.^(v)