Psalm LI.
1
O lord, with mercy me behold,
As thou on me were wont to look:
And after thy compassions old,
Lord blot my sins out of thy book.
2
O wash me from my crime so foul,
And from this great iniquity:
For I confess it from my soul,
And think on it continually.
3
What I in secret did commit,
Was open, Lord, unto thy sight:
And if I be condemn'd for it,
Thy judgment, Lord, is just and right.
4
In me who was conceiv'd in sin,
The seeds of evil thou canst see:
Much more this heinous fact of mine,
Is manifest and known to thee.
5
I know, O Lord, thou dost command
A conscience pure, and clear within:
But I thy laws did understand,
Yet did against my knowledge sin.
6
With hysop, Lord, me purifie,
So shall I clean be in thy sight:
Wash me, O Lord, and then shall I,
Than snow it self become more white.
7
Let news of pardon me revive,
My broken bones for joy will shout,
When all my sins thou shalt forgive,
And from thy book shalt blot them out
8
Create in me a heart most chast,
Give me a spirit pure and right:
Let me not from thy sight be cast,
Nor take from me thy spirit quite.
9
Thy favour, Lord, again bestow,
And with thy spirit set me free:
Transgressors then thy ways shall know,
And sinners shall be turn'd to thee.
10
Thou God of my salvation,
Deliver me from guilt of blood;
Then of thy mercies every one,
My joyful tongue shall sing aloud.
11
Open my lips, O Lord, that so,
My mouth thy praises may indite:
For 'tis not sacrifice, I know,
In which thou chiefly dost delight.
12
A broken heart is in thy sight,
The best and sweetest sacrifice;
A spirit broken and contrite,
O God, thou never wilt despise.
13
Do good unto thy Sion still,
Nor let her suffer for my sake:
But still defend thy holy hill,
And strongest walls about her make.
14
Burnt offerings then and sacrifice,
Shall pleasing be to thee indeed;
When what upon thine altar lies,
Shall from an upright heart proceed.
