Create in Me a Clean Heart, O God
To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David, when aNathan the prophet went to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.
bHave mercy on me, O God,
according to your steadfast love;
according to your cabundant mercy
dblot out my transgressions.
2 aWash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
and bcleanse me from my sin!
3 aFor I know my transgressions,
and my sin is ever before me.
4 aAgainst you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil bin your sight,
cso that you may be justified in your words
and blameless in your judgment.
5 Behold, aI was brought forth in iniquity,
and in sin did my mother conceive me.
6 Behold, you delight in truth in athe inward being,
and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.
7 Purge me awith hyssop, and I shall be clean;
bwash me, and I shall be cwhiter than snow.
8 Let me hear joy and gladness;
alet the bones bthat you have broken rejoice.
9 aHide your face from my sins,
and bblot out all my iniquities.
10 aCreate in me a bclean heart, O God,
and crenew a right spirit within me.
11 aCast me not away from your presence,
and take not byour Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and uphold me with a willing spirit.
13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
and sinners will areturn to you.
14 Deliver me from abloodguiltiness, O God,
O bGod of my salvation,
and cmy tongue will sing aloud of your drighteousness.
15 O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth will declare your praise.
16 aFor you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it;
you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.
17 The sacrifices of God are aa broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.
18 aDo good to Zion in your good pleasure;
bbuild up the walls of Jerusalem;
19 then will you delight in aright sacrifices,
in burnt offerings and bwhole burnt offerings;
then bulls will be offered on your altar.