Psalms 51

1 Have mercy [be gracious, show pity] on me, O God [the supreme deity, Almighty], according to Your loving devotion [faithful love, kindness]; according to Your great compassion [tender mercies, abundant kindness], blot out [wipe away, erase] my transgressions [sins, rebellions]. word study 2 Wash me clean [thoroughly, completely] of my iniquity [wrongdoing, guilt] and cleanse me [make me pure, free from sin] from my sin [rebellion, transgression]. word study 3 For I know [acknowledge, am conscious of] my transgressions [rebellion, revolt against God], and my sin [error, iniquity] is always [ever, constantly] before me. word study 4 Against You [alone, only], You only, have I sinned [committed moral evil, done wrong] and done what is evil [wicked, unjust] in Your sight [presence, judgment], so that You may be proved right [justified, vindicated] when You speak and blameless [pure, righteous] when You judge [condemn, evaluate]. word study 5 Surely I was brought forth [born, conceived] in iniquity [sin, rebellion]; I was sinful [guilty, transgressor] when my mother conceived [shapen, formed] me [in her womb, from the beginning]. word study 6 Surely You desire [long for, have a deep affection for] truth [sincerity, integrity] in the inmost being [innermost self, deepest part]; You teach [guide, instruct] me wisdom [discernment, insight] in the inmost place [secret heart, hidden part]. word study 7 Purify [cleanse from sin] me with hyssop [a plant used for ritual cleansing], and I will be clean [pure, free from guilt]; wash [bathe, make whiter] me, and I will be whiter [more radiant, purified] than snow. word study 8 Let me hear [experience deeply] joy [happiness, gladness] and gladness [rapture, delight]; let the bones [inner parts, seat of emotions] You have crushed [broken, bruised] rejoice [be glad, joyful once more]. word study 9 Hide Your face [turn away, look no further] from my sins [transgressions, rebellion] and blot out [erase, wipe away completely] all my iniquities [guilt, wickedness, unrighteousness]. word study 10 Create [make, bring into existence] in me a clean [pure, undefiled] heart, O God [Elohim, the supreme Creator], and renew [restore, revive] a right [steadfast, trustworthy] spirit [inner being, mind] within me [in my innermost self]. word study 11 Cast me not away [do not expel or reject] from Your presence [before Your face, in Your sight]; take not [do not remove or withdraw] Your Holy Spirit [the Spirit of God, who sanctifies] from me [because of my sin, from my heart]. word study 12 Restore to me [give me back, cause me to experience again] the joy [happiness, delight] of Your salvation [deliverance, rescue from sin], and sustain [uphold, support] me with a willing [free] spirit [mind, emotions, breath of life]. word study 13 Then I will teach [make known, instruct] transgressors [rebels, those who disobey] Your ways [path, journey, divine guidance], and sinners [those who miss the mark, fall short] will return [be converted, turn back] to You. word study 14 Deliver me from bloodguilt [bloodshed, violent death], O God [my Savior], the God of my salvation [deliverance, rescue], and my tongue will sing [joyfully, aloud] of Your righteousness [justice, goodness]. word study 15 O Lord [my Master], open [and loosen, set free] my lips [to speak and proclaim], and my mouth [the instrument of my voice] will declare [show forth, proclaim] Your praise [worship, adoration, thanksgiving]. word study 16 For You [our loving Father] do not delight [take pleasure, desire] in sacrifice [offerings, gifts], or I would bring [give, offer] it; You take [have, accept] no pleasure [delight, joy] in burnt offerings [sacrifices by fire, atonement]. word study 17 The sacrifices [offerings, acts of worship] of God [Elohim, the supreme Lord] are a broken [shattered, crushed] spirit; a broken [crushed, humble] and a contrite [sorrowful, repentant] heart, O God [Adonay, the reverenced Lord], You will not despise [reject, refuse]. word study 18 In Your [gracious, and merciful] good pleasure [according to Your will, in Your favor], cause [do good to, prosper] Zion [the city of God, the people of God] to prosper [to flourish, be successful]; build up [rebuild, establish] the walls [strongholds, defenses] of Jerusalem [the city of peace, the holy city]. word study 19 Then You will delight [be pleased, take pleasure] in righteous [just, morally upright] sacrifices [offerings to God, acts of worship], in whole [complete, unblemished] burnt offerings [sacrifices totally consumed by fire]; then bulls [young oxen, strong animals] will be offered [sacrificed, given] on Your altar [place of sacrifice]. word study