1For the worship leader. A Psalm by David, when the prophet Nathan came to him after he had slept with Bathsheba. Have mercy on me, God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, wipe away my wrongdoings.
2Wash away all my guilt. Cleanse me from my sin.
3For I know my wrongdoings; my sin is always on my mind.
4I have sinned against you, and you alone; I have done what you consider evil. This means you are right when you speak and fair when you judge.
5Indeed, I was born guilty; my mother conceived me in sin.
6Look, you desire truth deep within me; you teach me wisdom in my innermost being.
7Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
8Let me hear sounds of joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice again.
9Turn your face away from my sins and erase all my evil deeds.
10God, create a clean heart in me. Renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11Don't push me away from your presence, and don't take your Holy Spirit from me.
12Give me back the joy of your salvation. Sustain me with a willing spirit.
13Then I will teach your ways to those who disobey you. Sinners will turn back to you.
14God, my Savior, free me from the guilt of murder. Then I will sing loudly about your goodness.
15Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare your praise.
16You do not want animal sacrifices, or I would offer them. You are not pleased with burnt offerings.
17The sacrifices God accepts are a broken spirit. God, you will not reject a broken and repentant heart.
18Please show favor to Jerusalem in your kindness. Rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
19Then you will be pleased with righteous sacrifices, with burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings. Then people will offer bulls on your altar.