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A Prayer for Forgiveness

For the director of music. A psalm of David when the prophet Nathan came to David after ·David’s sin with Bathsheba [he committed adultery with/L had gone to Bathsheba; 2 Sam. 11:1—12:25].

51 God, be ·merciful [gracious] to me
    ·because you are loving [according to your love/loyalty].
·Because you are always ready to be merciful [According to your abundant compassion],
    ·wipe [blot] out all my ·wrongs [transgressions].
Wash ·away [L me thoroughly from] all my guilt
    and make me clean ·again [L from my sin].

I know about my ·wrongs [transgressions],
    and ·I can’t forget my sin [L my sin is continually before me].
You ·are the only one [alone] I have sinned against;
    I have done ·what you say is wrong [L evil in your eyes].
You are ·right [vindicated] when you speak
    and ·fair [pure; blameless] when you judge.
I was ·brought into this world [born] in ·sin [guilt].
    In sin my mother ·gave birth to [conceived] me [Rom. 3:9–20; 7:18].

You ·want me to be completely truthful [L desire truth/faithfulness in my inward parts],
    ·so teach me wisdom [L and secretly you make me know wisdom].
·Take away my sin [L Remove my sin with hyssop; Ex. 12:22; C a plant used in purification rituals; Lev. 14:4, 6, 49–51; Num. 19:18], and I will be clean.
    Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow [Is. 1:18].
Make me hear sounds of joy and gladness;
    let the bones you crushed ·be happy [rejoice] again.
·Turn [L Hide] your face from my sins
    and ·wipe [blot] out all my guilt.

10 Create in me a ·pure [clean] heart, God,
    and ·make my spirit right again [L renew a right/steadfast spirit in me].
11 Do not send me away from you
    or take your ·Holy Spirit [or holy spirit] away from me.
12 ·Give me back [Restore to me] the joy of your ·salvation [rescue].
    ·Keep me strong by giving [Sustain in] me a willing spirit.
13 Then I will teach your ways to ·those who do wrong [transgressors],
    and sinners will turn back to you.

14 God, save me from ·the guilt of murder [bloodshed],
    God of my ·salvation [rescue],
    and ·I will sing about your goodness [L let my tongue sing for joy of your righteousness].
15 Lord, let ·me speak [L my lips open]
    so ·I may praise you [L my mouth may speak your praise].
16 You are not pleased by sacrifices, or I would give them.
    You don’t want burnt offerings [Lev. 1:1–17].
17 The sacrifice God wants is a broken spirit.
    God, you will not ·reject [despise] a heart that is broken and ·sorry for sin [contrite; Is. 57:15; 66:2; Mic. 6:6–8].

18 Do whatever good you wish for ·Jerusalem [L Zion; C the location of the Temple].
    Rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
19 Then you will be pleased with right sacrifices and whole burnt offerings [Lev. 1:1–17],
    and bulls will be offered on your altar.

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