Summary: <br> <br> <br> Psalm 51<br> Have mercy on me, God, in your kindness.<br> In your compassion blot out my offense.<br> O wash me more and more from my guilt<br> and cleanse me from my sin.<br> My offenses truly I know them;<br> my sin is always before me<br> Against you, you alone, have I sinned;<br> what is evil in your sight I have done.<br> That you may be justified when you give sentence<br> and be without reproach when you judge,<br> O see, in guilt I was born,<br> a sinner was I conceived.<br> Indeed you love truth in the heart;<br> then in the secret of my heart teach me wisdom.<br> O purify me, then I shall be clean;<br> O wash me, I shall be whiter than snow.<br> Make me hear rejoicing and gladness,<br> that the bones you have crushed may revive.<br> From my sins turn away your face<br> and blot out all my guilt.<br> A pure heart create for me, O God,<br> put a steadfast spirit within me.<br> Do not cast me away from your presence,<br> nor deprive me of your holy spirit.<br> Give me again the joy of your help;<br> with a spirit of fervor sustain me,<br> that I may teach transgressors your ways<br> and sinners may return to you.<br> O rescue me, God, my helper,<br> and my tongue shall ring out your goodness.<br> O Lord, open my lips<br> and my mouth shall declare your praise.<br> For in sacrifice you take no delight,<br> burnt offering from me you would refuse,<br> my sacrifice, a contrite spirit,<br> a humbled, contrite heart you will not spurn.<br> In your goodness, show favor to Zion:<br> rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.<br> Then you will be pleased with lawful sacrifice,<br> holocausts offered on your altar.<br> <br> Excerpts from the English translation of The Liturgy of the Hours (Four Volumes) © 1974, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.<br> <br> <br>
