Psalm 51
For the Chief Musician. A Psalm by David, when Nathan the prophet came to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.
[51:1] Have mercy on me, God, according to your loving kindness. According to the multitude of your tender mercies, blot out my transgressions. [51:2] Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity. Cleanse me from my sin. [51:3] For I know my transgressions. My sin is constantly before me. [51:4] Against you, and you only, have I sinned, and done that which is evil in your sight; that you may be proved right when you speak, and justified when you judge. [51:5] Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity. In sin my mother conceived me. [51:6] Behold, you desire truth in the inward parts. You teach me wisdom in the inmost place. [51:7] Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean. Wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. [51:8] Let me hear joy and gladness, That the bones which you have broken may rejoice. [51:9] Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all of my iniquities. [51:10] Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me. [51:11] Don't throw me from your presence, and don't take your holy Spirit from me. [51:12] Restore to me the joy of your salvation. Uphold me with a willing spirit. [51:13] Then I will teach transgressors your ways. Sinners shall be converted to you. [51:14] Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation. My tongue shall sing aloud of your righteousness. [51:15] Lord, open my lips. My mouth shall declare your praise. [51:16] For you don't delight in sacrifice, or else I would give it. You have no pleasure in burnt offering. [51:17] The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit. A broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. [51:18] Do well in your good pleasure to Zion. Build the walls of Jerusalem. [51:19] Then you will delight in the sacrifices of righteousness, in burnt offerings and in whole burnt offerings. Then they will offer bulls on your altar.
Psalm 52
For the Chief Musician. A contemplation by David, when Doeg the Edomite came and told Saul, "David has come to Abimelech's house."
[52:1] Why do you boast of mischief, mighty man? God's loving kindness endures continually. [52:2] Your tongue plots destruction, like a sharp razor, working deceitfully. [52:3] You love evil more than good, lying rather than speaking the truth. Selah. [52:4] You love all devouring words, you deceitful tongue. [52:5] God will likewise destroy you forever. He will take you up, and pluck you out of your tent, and root you out of the land of the living. Selah. [52:6] The righteous also will see it, and fear, and laugh at him, saying, [52:7] "Behold, this is the man who didn't make God his strength, but trusted in the abundance of his riches, and strengthened himself in his wickedness." [52:8] But as for me, I am like a green olive tree in God's house. I trust in God's loving kindness forever and ever. [52:9] I will give you thanks forever, because you have done it. I will hope in your name, for it is good, in the presence of your saints.
Psalm 53
For the Chief Musician. To the tune of "Mahalath." A contemplation by David.
[53:1] The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, and have done abominable iniquity. There is no one who does good. [53:2] God looks down from heaven on the children of men, to see if there are any who understood, who seek after God. [53:3] Every one of them has gone back. They have become filthy together. There is no one who does good, no, not one. [53:4] Have the workers of iniquity no knowledge, who eat up my people as they eat bread, and don't call on God? [53:5] There they were in great fear, where no fear was, for God has scattered the bones of him who encamps against you. You have put them to shame, because God has rejected them. [53:6] Oh that the salvation of Israel would come out of Zion! When God brings back his people from captivity, then Jacob shall rejoice, and Israel shall be glad.