The Holy Bible – Knox Translation
The Book of Psalms
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Psalm 50
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(To the choir-master. A psalm. Of David,
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when the prophet Nathan came to reproach him for his adultery with Bethsabee.)
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Have mercy on me, O God, as thou art ever rich in mercy; in the abundance of thy compassion, blot out the record of my misdeeds.
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Wash me clean, cleaner yet, from my guilt, purge me of my sin,
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the guilt which I freely acknowledge, the sin which is never lost to my sight.
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Thee only my sins have offended; it is thy will I have disobeyed; thy sentence was deserved, and still when thou givest award thou hast right on thy side.
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For indeed, I was born in sin; guilt was with me already when my mother conceived me.
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But thou art a lover of faithfulness, and now, deep in my heart, thy wisdom has instructed me.
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Sprinkle me with a wand of hyssop, and I shall be clean; washed, I shall be whiter than snow;
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tidings send me of good news and rejoicing, and the body that lies in the dust shall thrill with pride.

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Turn thy eyes away from my sins, blot out the record of my guilt;
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my God, bring a clean heart to birth within me; breathe new life, true life, into my being.
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Do not banish me from thy presence, do not take thy holy spirit away from me;
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give me back the comfort of thy saving power, and strengthen me in generous resolve.
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So will I teach the wicked to follow thy paths; sinners shall come back to thy obedience.
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My God, my divine Deliverer, save me from the guilt of bloodshed! This tongue shall boast of thy mercies;
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O Lord, thou wilt open my lips, and my mouth shall tell of thy praise.
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Thou hast no mind for sacrifice, burnt-offerings, if I brought them, thou wouldst refuse;
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here, O God, is my sacrifice, a broken spirit; a heart that is humbled and contrite thou, O God, wilt never disdain.
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Lord, in thy great love send prosperity to Sion, so that the walls of Jerusalem may rise again.
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Then indeed thou wilt take pleasure in solemn sacrifice, in gift and burnt-offering; then indeed bullocks will be laid upon thy altar.