Psalm 51

Common Metre (8,6,8,6)

Suggested Tunes:

(vv.1-6) 50 Dundee, 142 Walsall, 120 St Mary

(vv.7-13) 116 St Kilda, 79 Kilmarnock

(vv.14-19) 96 Orphan’s, 122 St Minver

1    After thy loving-kindness, Lord,

            have mercy upon me:

      For thy compassions great, blot out

            all mine iniquity.

2    Me cleanse from sin, and throughly wash

            from mine iniquity:

3    For my transgressions I confess;

            my sin I ever see.

4    ’Gainst thee, thee only, have I sinn’d,

            in thy sight done this ill;

      That when thou speak’st thou may’st be just,

            and clear in judging still.

5    Behold, I in iniquity

            was form’d the womb within;

      My mother also me conceiv’d

            in guiltiness and sin.

6    Behold, thou in the inward parts

            with truth delighted art;

      And wisdom thou shalt make me know

            within the hidden part.

7    Do thou with hyssop sprinkle me,

            I shall be cleansed so;

      Yea, wash thou me, and then I shall

            be whiter than the snow.

8    Of gladness and of joyfulness

            make me to hear the voice;

      That so these very bones which thou

            hast broken may rejoice.

9    All mine iniquities blot out,

            thy face hide from my sin.

10  Create a clean heart, Lord, renew

            a right sp’rit me within.

11  Cast me not from thy sight, nor take

            thy Holy Sp’rit away.

12  Restore me thy salvation’s joy;

            with thy free Sp’rit me stay.

13  Then will I teach thy ways unto

            those that transgressors be;

      And those that sinners are shall then

            be turned unto thee.

14  O God, of my salvation God,

            me from blood-guiltiness

      Set free; then shall my tongue aloud

            sing of thy righteousness.

15  My closed lips, O Lord, by thee

            let them be opened;

      Then shall thy praises by my mouth

            abroad be published.

16  For thou desir’st not sacrifice,

            else would I give it thee;

      Nor wilt thou with burnt-offering

            at all delighted be.

17  A broken spirit is to God

            a pleasing sacrifice:

      A broken and a contrite heart,

            Lord, thou wilt not despise.

18  Shew kindness, and do good, O Lord,

            to Sion, thine own hill:

      The walls of thy Jerusalem

            build up of thy good will.

19  Then righteous off’rings shall thee please,

            and off’rings burnt, which they

      With whole burnt-off’rings, and with calves,

            shall on thine altar lay.