Create in Me a Clean Heart, O God

¹Be gracious to me, O God, according to Your lovingkindness;

According to the abundance of Your compassion blot out my transgressions.

²Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity

And cleanse me from my sin.

³For I know my transgressions,[#51:3 Or I myself know]

And my sin is ever before me.

⁴Against You, You only, I have sinned

And done what is evil in Your sight,

So that You are justified when You speak

And pure when You judge.

⁵¶Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,

And in sin my mother conceived me.

⁶Behold, You delight in truth in the innermost being,[#51:6 Or inward parts]

And in the hidden part You will make me know wisdom.

⁷Purify me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;[#51:7 Or May You purify...that I may be clean]

Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

⁸Make me to hear joy and gladness,[#51:8 Or May You make]

Let the bones which You have crushed rejoice.

⁹Hide Your face from my sins

And blot out all my iniquities.

¹⁰¶Create in me a clean heart, O God,[#51:10 Lit for]

And renew a steadfast spirit within me.

¹¹Do not cast me away from Your presence

And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.

¹²Restore to me the joy of Your salvation

And sustain me with a willing spirit.

¹³Then I will teach transgressors Your ways,

And sinners will be converted to You.

¹⁴¶Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation;

Then my tongue will joyfully sing of Your righteousness.

¹⁵O Lord, open my lips,[#51:15 Or may You open]

That my mouth may declare Your praise.

¹⁶For You do not delight in sacrifice, otherwise I would give it;

You are not pleased with burnt offering.

¹⁷The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;

A broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.

¹⁸¶By Your favor do good to Zion;

Build the walls of Jerusalem.

¹⁹Then You will delight in righteous sacrifices,[#51:19 Or sacrifices of righteousness]

In burnt offering and whole burnt offering;

Then young bulls will be offered on Your altar.