[1] Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins.
[2] Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin.
[3] For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night.
[4] Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight. You will be proved right in what you say, and your judgment against me is just.
[5] For I was born a sinner— yes, from the moment my mother conceived me.
[6] But you desire honesty from the womb, teaching me wisdom even there.
[7] Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
[8] Oh, give me back my joy again; you have broken me— now let me rejoice.
[9] Don’t keep looking at my sins. Remove the stain of my guilt.
[10] Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.
[11] Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me.
[12] Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you.
[13] Then I will teach your ways to rebels, and they will return to you.
[14] Forgive me for shedding blood, O God who saves; then I will joyfully sing of your forgiveness.
[15] Unseal my lips, O Lord, that my mouth may praise you.
[16] You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one. You do not want a burnt offering.
[17] The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God.
[18] Look with favor on Zion and help her; rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
[19] Then you will be pleased with sacrifices offered in the right spirit— with burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings. Then bulls will again be sacrificed on your altar.