A Prayer for ForgivenessPs 51 Hebrew title: A psalm by David, after the prophet Nathan had spoken to him about his adultery with Bathsheba.51 Title: 2 Sam 12.1–15

1Be merciful to me, O God,

because of your constant love.

Because of your great mercy

wipe away my sins!

2Wash away all my evil

and make me clean from my sin!

3I recognize my faults;

I am always conscious of my sins.

451.4: Rom 3.4I 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.

5I have been evil from the day I was born;

from the time I was conceived, I have been sinful.

6Sincerity and truth are what you require;

fill my mind with your wisdom.

7Remove my sin, and I will be clean;

wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

8Let me hear the sounds of joy and gladness;

and though you have crushed me and broken me,

I will be happy once again.

9Close your eyes to my sins

and wipe out all my evil.

10Create a pure heart in me, O God,

and put a new and loyal spirit in me.

11Do not banish me from your presence;

do not take your Holy Spirit away from me.

12Give me again the joy that comes from your salvation,

and make me willing to obey you.

13Then I will teach sinners your commands,

and they will turn back to you.

14Spare my life, O God, and save me,51.14 Spare my life… me; or O God my saviour, keep me from the crime of murder.

and I will gladly proclaim your righteousness.

15Help me to speak, Lord,

and I will praise you.

16You do not want sacrifices,

or I would offer them;

you are not pleased with burnt offerings.

17My sacrifice is a humble spirit, O God;

you will not reject a humble and repentant heart.

18O God, be kind to Zion and help her;

rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.

19Then you will be pleased with proper sacrifices

and with our burnt offerings;

and bulls will be sacrificed on your altar.