Psalms 51 in plain modern English. New Ground English Translation.

Show me kindness, God, because of your faithful love. Because your compassion runs so deep, wipe away every act of rebellion I've committed.

Scrub me clean from my guilt. Wash away the stain of my failure.

I know exactly what I've done wrong — it's right there in front of me, always.

Against you — you alone — I have done this. What you call wrong, I did, right in front of you. So you are completely right when you speak, and no one can question your judgment.

Look — I was born into a broken world, tangled in failure from the moment my mother carried me.

But what you actually want is honesty deep inside — so in the most hidden part of me, teach me wisdom.

Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean. Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

Let me hear joy and celebration again — let the bones you crushed dance once more.

Turn your face away from my failures. Wipe away every stain of guilt.

Create something clean inside me, God. Put a new, steady spirit in me.

Don't throw me out of your presence. Don't take the Breath of God away from me.

Give me back the joy of being rescued by you. Hold me up with a willing spirit.

Then I will teach people who've rebelled how you work, and those who've lost their way will come back to you.

Free me from the guilt of bloodshed, God — God who rescues me — and I will sing about how right and good you are.

Open my lips, Yahweh, and my mouth will declare how incredible you are.

You don't want sacrifices — I would bring them if you did. Burnt offerings don't make you happy.

What God really wants is a broken spirit — a heart that's been broken and crushed, God, you will never turn away.

Do good things for Zion — be generous to her. Rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.

Then you will be pleased with offerings done right — with whole burnt offerings and complete sacrifices. Then bulls will be offered on your altar.