¹⁴ was to watch me, and if I sinned,
    you would not forgive my guilt.

²¹ Why not just forgive my sin
    and take away my guilt?
For soon I will lie down in the dust and die.
    When you look for me, I will be gone.”

³ Lord, if you kept a record of our sins,
    who, O Lord, could ever survive?

¹ O Lord, you have examined my heart
    and know everything about me.

²⁶ “You write bitter accusations against me
    and bring up all the sins of my youth.
²⁷ You put my feet in stocks.
    You examine all my paths.
    You trace all my footprints.

²⁸ I would still dread all the pain,
    for I know you will not find me innocent, O God.

⁷ I lavish unfailing love to a thousand generations.^[a]
    I forgive iniquity, rebellion, and sin.
But I do not excuse the guilty.
    I lay the sins of the parents upon their children and grandchildren;
the entire family is affected—
    even children in the third and fourth generations.”

¹⁶ For then you would guard my steps,
    instead of watching for my sins.