True Confessions

A psalm of David. When the prophet Nathan came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.

1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your unfailing love; according to Your great compassion blot out my transgressions.

2 Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.

3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.

4 Against You, You only, have I sinned and done what is evil in Your sight, so that You are proved right when You speak and justified when You judge.

5 Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me.

6 Surely You desire truth in the inner parts ^[a]; You teach ^[b] me wisdom in the inmost place.

7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones You have crushed rejoice.

9 Hide Your Face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity.

10 Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

11 Do not cast me from Your presence or take Your Holy Spirit from me.

12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

13 Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners will turn back to You.

-Psalm 51:1-13