First Version ❧ CM/CMD · 8·6·8·6 (D)
To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.
1 Have mercy upon me, O God, in thy lovingkindness: in multitude of thy mercies blot out my trespasses. 2 From mine iniquity do thou wash me most perfectly, and also from this sin of mine do thou me purify.
3 Because of my transgressions myself do take notice, and sin that I committed have before me ever is. 4 ‘Gainst thee, thee only I have sinn’d, this ill done thee before: when thou speak’st just thou art, and clear when thou dost judge therefore.
5 Behold, how in iniquity I did my shape receive: also my mother that me bare in sin did me conceive. 6 Behold, thou dost desire the truth within the inward part: and thou shalt make me wisdom know in secret of my heart.
7 With hyssop do me purify, I shall be cleansed so: do thou me wash, and then I shall be whiter than the snow. 8 Of joy and of gladness do thou make me to hear the voice: that so the bones which thou hast broke may cheerfully rejoice.
9 From the beholding of my sin hide thou away thy face: also all mine iniquities do utterly deface. 10 A clean heart, Lord, in me create, also a spirit right 11 in me renew. O cast not me away out of thy sight;
nor from me take thy holy sp’rit. 12 Restore the joy to me of thy salvation, and uphold me with thy spirit free. 13 Then will I teach thy ways to those that work iniquity: and by this means shall sinners be converted unto thee.
14 O God, God of my health, set me free from blood guiltiness, and so my tongue shall joyfully sing of thy righteousness. 15 O Lord my stay, let thou my lips by thee be opened, and by my mouth thy praises shall be openly showed.
16 For thou desir’st not sacrifice, it would I freely bring: neither dost thou contentment take in a whole burnt off’ring. 17 The sacrifices of the Lord they are a broken sp’rit: God, thou wilt not despise a heart that’s broken, and contrite.
18 In thy good pleasure O do thou do good to Zion hill: the walls of thy Jerusalem O do thou build up still. 19 The sacrifice of justice shall please thee, with burnt off’ring, and whole burnt off’ring; then they shall calves to thine altar bring.