A Contrite Sinner’s Prayer for Pardon.

For the choir director. A Psalm of David, when [a]Nathan the prophet came to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.

51 (A)Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness;
According to the greatness of (B)Your compassion (C)blot out my transgressions.
(D)Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity
And (E)cleanse me from my sin.
For [b]I (F)know my transgressions,
And my sin is ever before me.
(G)Against You, You only, I have sinned
And done what is (H)evil in Your sight,
So that (I)You [c]are justified [d]when You speak
And [e]blameless when You judge.

Behold, I was (J)brought forth in iniquity,
And in sin my mother conceived me.
Behold, You desire (K)truth in the [f]innermost being,
And in the hidden part You will (L)make me know wisdom.
[g]Purify me (M)with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
[h]Wash me, and I shall be (N)whiter than snow.
[i]Make me to hear (O)joy and gladness,
Let the (P)bones which You have broken rejoice.

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Footnotes

  1. Psalm 51:1 2 Sam 12:1
  2. Psalm 51:3 Or I myself know
  3. Psalm 51:4 Or may be in the right
  4. Psalm 51:4 Many mss read in Your words
  5. Psalm 51:4 Lit pure
  6. Psalm 51:6 Or inward parts
  7. Psalm 51:7 Or May You purify...that I may be clean
  8. Psalm 51:7 Or May You wash
  9. Psalm 51:8 Or May You make