TEHILLIM 51

1 (For the one directing. Mizmor Dovid. 2 When Natan HaNavi confronted him after he went into Bat-Sheva)[a]

3 Have mercy upon me, O Elohim, according to Thy chesed;

according unto the multitude of Thy rachamim blot out my peysha'im (transgressions, rebellions).

4 Wash me thoroughly from mine avon (iniquity),

and cleanse me from my chattat (sin).

5 For I acknowledge my peysha'im (transgressions, rebellions);

and my chattat (sin) is ever before me.

6 Against Thee, Thee only, have I sinned,

and done the rah in Thy sight;

that Thou mightest be found just when Thou speakest,

and be blameless when Thou judgest.

7 Surely, I was brought forth in avon;

and in chet did immi conceive me.[b]

8 Surely Thou desirest emes in the inward parts;

and in the inmost place Thou shalt make me to know chochmah.

9 Purge me with ezov (hyssop),

and I shall be tahor;

wash me,

and I shall be whiter than sheleg (snow).

10 Make me to hear sasson and simchah;

that the atzmot which Thou hast broken may rejoice.

11 Hide Thy face from my chatta'im,

and blot out all mine avonot.

12 Bara[c] in me a lev tahor, O Elohim;

and renew a ruach nekhon (steadfast spirit)[d] within me.

13 Cast me not away from Thy presence;

and take not Thy Ruach Hakodesh from me.

14 Restore unto me the sasson of Thy salvation;

and uphold me with a ruach nedivah (a willing spirit).[e]

15 Then will I teach poshe'im (transgressors) Thy drakhim;

and chatta'im (sinners) shall be converted[f] unto Thee.

16 Save me from damim (bloodguiltiness),

O Elohim, Thou Elohei Teshuati;

and my leshon shall sing aloud of Thy tzedakah.

17 Adonoi, open Thou my lips;

and my mouth shall show forth Thy tehillah (praise).

18 For Thou desirest not zevach (sacrifice);

else would I give it; Thou delightest not in olah (burnt offering).

19 The zivkhei Elohim are a ruach nishbarah (broken spirit);

a broken and contrite lev, O Elohim, Thou wilt not despise.

20 Do good in Thy good pleasure unto Tziyon;

build Thou the chomot Yerushalayim.

21 Then shalt Thou be pleased with zivkhei tzedek (true sacrifices, sacrifices of righteousness),

with olah (burnt offering) and whole burnt offering;

then shall they offer parim (bulls) upon Thine Mizbe'ach.[g]