Psalm 51 GNT

A Prayer for Forgiveness

1 Be merciful to me, O God,because of your constant love.Because of your great mercywipe away my sins!

2 Wash away all my eviland make me clean from my sin!

3 I recognize my faults;I am always conscious of my sins.

4 I have sinned against you—only against you—and done what you consider evil.So you are right in judging me;you are justified in condemning me.

5 I have been evil from the day I was born;from the time I was conceived, I have been sinful.

6 Sincerity and truth are what you require;fill my mind with your wisdom.

7 Remove my sin, and I will be clean;wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

8 Let me hear the sounds of joy and gladness;and though you have crushed me and broken me,I will be happy once again.

9 Close your eyes to my sinsand wipe out all my evil.

10 Create a pure heart in me, O God,and put a new and loyal spirit in me.

11 Do not banish me from your presence;do not take your holy spirit away from me.

12 Give me again the joy that comes from your salvation,and make me willing to obey you.

13 Then I will teach sinners your commands,and they will turn back to you.

14 Spare my life, O God, and save me,and I will gladly proclaim your righteousness.

15 Help me to speak, Lord,and I will praise you.

16 You do not want sacrifices,or I would offer them;you are not pleased with burnt offerings.

17 My sacrifice is a humble spirit, O God;you will not reject a humble and repentant heart.

18 O God, be kind to Zion and help her;rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.

19 Then you will be pleased with proper sacrificesand with our burnt offerings;and bulls will be sacrificed on your altar.