1 H ave mercy on me, God, according to your loving kindness. According to the multitude of your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions.

O God, favor me because of Your loving-kindness. Take away my wrong-doing because of the greatness of Your loving-pity.

2 W ash me thoroughly from my iniquity. Cleanse me from my sin.

Wash me inside and out from my wrong-doing and make me clean from my sin.

3 F or I know my transgressions. My sin is constantly before me.

For I know my wrong-doing, and my sin is always in front of me.

4 A gainst you, and you only, have I sinned, and done that which is evil in your sight; that you may be proved right when you speak, and justified when you judge.

I have sinned against You, and You only. I have done what is sinful in Your eyes. You are always right when You speak, and fair when You judge.

5 B ehold, I was born in iniquity. In sin my mother conceived me.

See, I was born in sin and was in sin from my very beginning.

6 B ehold, you desire truth in the inward parts. You teach me wisdom in the inmost place.

See, You want truth deep within the heart. And You will make me know wisdom in the hidden part.

7 P urify me with hyssop, and I will be clean. Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

Take away my sin, and I will be clean. Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

8 L et me hear joy and gladness, That the bones which you have broken may rejoice.

Make me hear joy and happiness. Let the bones that You have broken be full of joy.

9 H ide your face from my sins, and blot out all of my iniquities.

Hide Your face from my sins. And take away all my wrong-doing.

10 C reate in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me.

Make a clean heart in me, O God. Give me a new spirit that will not be moved.

11 D on’t throw me from your presence, and don’t take your holy Spirit from me.

Do not throw me away from where You are. And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.

12 R estore to me the joy of your salvation. Uphold me with a willing spirit.

Let the joy of Your saving power return to me. And give me a willing spirit to obey you.

13 T hen I will teach transgressors your ways. Sinners shall be converted to you.

Then I will teach wrong-doers Your ways. And sinners will turn to You.

14 D eliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, the God of my salvation. My tongue shall sing aloud of your righteousness.

Save me from the guilt of blood, O God. You are the God Who saves me. Then my tongue will sing with joy about how right and good You are.

15 L ord, open my lips. My mouth shall declare your praise.

O Lord, open my lips, so my mouth will praise You.

16 F or you don’t delight in sacrifice, or else I would give it. You have no pleasure in burnt offering.

For You are not happy with a gift given on the altar in worship, or I would give it. You are not pleased with burnt gifts.

17 T he sacrifices of God are a broken spirit. A broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

The gifts on an altar that God wants are a broken spirit. O God, You will not hate a broken heart and a heart with no pride.

18 D o well in your good pleasure to Zion. Build the walls of Jerusalem.

Be pleased to do good to Zion. Build the walls of Jerusalem.

19 T hen you will delight in the sacrifices of righteousness, in burnt offerings and in whole burnt offerings. Then they will offer bulls on your altar.

Then You will be happy with gifts given on the altar that are right and good, with burnt gifts and whole burnt gifts. Then young bulls will be given on Your altar.