Book Two (Psalms 42-72) "Concerning Israel as a Nation"

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, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
2:   Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

3:   For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
4:   Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
5:   Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.

6:   Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.

7:   Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8:   Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.

9:   Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
10:   Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
11:   Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
12:   Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.

13:   Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.

14:   Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.
15:   O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.

16:   For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.
17:   The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
18:   Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.
19:   Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.


To the chief Musician.


10. clean heart = right attitude.

subtitle To the chief Musician. See The Companion Bible, Appendix 64.