Miserere

Psalm 51

Have mercy on me, God, in your goodness;
in your abundant compassion blot out my offense.
Wash away all my guilt,
from my sin cleanse me.

For I know my offense;
my sin is always before me.
Against you alone have I sinned;
I have done such evil in your sight
that you are just in your sentence,
blameless when you condemn.

True, I was born guilty,
a sinner, even as my mother conceived me.
Still, you insist on sincerity of heart,
in my inmost being teach me wisdom.

Cleanse me with hyssop, that I may be pure;
wash me, make me whiter than snow.
Let me hear sounds of joy and gladness;
let the bones you have crushed rejoice.

Turn away your face from my sins;
blot out all my guilt.
A clean heart create from me, God;
renew in me a steadfast spirit.

Do not drive me from your presence,
nor take from me your holy spirit.
Restore my joy in your salvation;
sustain in me a willing spirit.

I will teach the wicked your ways,
that sinners may return to you.
Rescue me from death, God, my saving God,
that my tongue may praise your healing power.

Lord, open my lips;
my mouth will proclaim your praise.
For you do not desire sacrifice,
a burnt offering you would not accept.
My sacrifice, God, is a broken spirit,
God, do not spurn a broken, contrite heart.

Make Zion prosper in your good pleasure,
rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
Then you will be pleased with proper sacrifice,
burnt offerings and holocausts;
then bullocks will be offered on your altar.

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This isn't the best translation, I know, but it's the one I have memorized.

It is a psalm of David, when he begged forgiveness for his sin with Bathsheba.