Psalm 51. A Prayer for Forgiveness.

Be merciful to me, O God,
because of your constant love.
Because of your great mercy
wipe away my sins!

2 Wash away all my evil
and make me clean from my sin!

3 I recognize my faults;
I am always conscious of my sins.

4 I have sinned against you—only against you—
and done what you consider evil.
So you are right in judging me;
you are justified in condemning me.

5 I have been evil from the day I was born;
from the time I was conceived, I have been sinful.

6 Sincerity and truth are what you require;
fill my mind with your wisdom.

7 Remove my sin, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

8 Let me hear the sounds of joy and gladness;
and though you have crushed me and broken me,