Psalm 9:7-14

Common English Bible

⁷But the Lord rules forever!
    He assumes his throne
    for the sake of justice.
⁸He will establish justice in the world rightly;
    he will judge all people fairly.
⁹The Lord is a safe place for the oppressed—
    a safe place in difficult times.
¹⁰Those who know your name trust you
    because you have not abandoned
    any who seek you, Lord.

¹¹Sing praises to the Lord, who lives in Zion!
    Proclaim his mighty acts among all people!
¹²Because the one who avenges bloodshed
    remembers those who suffer;
    the Lord hasn’t forgotten their cries for help.

¹³Have mercy on me, Lord!
    Just look how I suffer
    because of those who hate me.
But you are the one who brings me back
    from the very gates of death
¹⁴        so I can declare all your praises,
        so I can rejoice in your salvation
        in the gates of Daughter Zion.

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Psalm 51:1-12

Common English Bible

Psalm 51

For the music leader. A psalm of David, when the prophet Nathan came to him just after he had been with Bathsheba.

51 Have mercy on me, God, according to your faithful love!
    Wipe away my wrongdoings according to your great compassion!
²Wash me completely clean of my guilt;
    purify me from my sin!
³Because I know my wrongdoings,
    my sin is always right in front of me.
⁴I’ve sinned against you—you alone.
    I’ve committed evil in your sight.
That’s why you are justified when you render your verdict,
    completely correct when you issue your judgment.
⁵Yes, I was born in guilt, in sin,
    from the moment my mother conceived me.
⁶And yes, you want truth in the most hidden places;
    you teach me wisdom in the most secret space.^[a]

⁷Purify me with hyssop and I will be clean;
    wash me and I will be whiter than snow.
⁸Let me hear joy and celebration again;
    let the bones you crushed rejoice once more.
⁹Hide your face from my sins;
    wipe away all my guilty deeds!
¹⁰Create a clean heart for me, God;
    put a new, faithful spirit deep inside me!
¹¹Please don’t throw me out of your presence;
    please don’t take your holy spirit away from me.
¹²Return the joy of your salvation to me
    and sustain me with a willing spirit.