Psalms 51:3-19

³I admit my rebellion; my sin always stares me in my face.

⁴I have sinned against you, you alone. I have done evil in your sight. So you are right in what you say, and fair when you judge.

⁵It's true that I was born guilty—sinful from the time my mother conceived me.

⁶But you want truth on the inside; you teach me wisdom deep within.

⁷Purify me with hyssop so I can be clean; wash me so I can be whiter than snow.

⁸Please let me hear joy and happiness again; let the bones you have crushed be glad once more.

⁹Turn your face away from looking at my sins; please wipe away my guilt.

¹⁰Create a pure mind in me, God, and make me trustworthy again.

¹¹Don't expel me from your presence; don't take away your Holy Spirit from me.

¹²Give me back the happiness of your salvation; help me to have a willing nature.

¹³Then I will teach your ways to rebellious people, and these sinners will come back to you.

¹⁴God, please forgive me for the blood I have shed, God of my salvation, and I will sing for joy of your goodness.

¹⁵Open my lips so I can speak your praise!

¹⁶For sacrifices don't make you happy, or I would bring one; burnt offerings aren't what pleases you.

¹⁷The “sacrifices” that God wants are on the inside—the brokenness of repentance. God won't reject a broken and sorrowful heart.

¹⁸Be kind to Zion, help the city; rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.

¹⁹Then you will be pleased with sacrifices given in the right spirit, for all kinds of burnt offerings, and bulls sacrificed on your altar once more.