Chapter 50

King David in great sorrow for his sins: of adultery and murder, most seriously prayeth God of his manifold mercy to remit and purge all his offenses, and pains due for them: ℣.12 to restore unto him the grace of the Holy Ghost, lost by his sins; ℣.15 that he may teach others (as indeed his singular example may teach the whole world true penance) ℣.19 contrition of heart, worthily to offer sacrifice, for the whole Church.

1. 1

   Unto the end, a Psalm of David,

2. 2

   after that he had sinned with Bethsabee when Nathan the Prophet came to him,

3. 3

   Have mercy on me, o God, according to thy great mercy. And according to the multitude of thy commiserations, take away mine iniquity.

4. 4

   Wash me more amply from mine iniquity: & cleanse me from my sin.

5. 5

   Because I do know mine iniquity: and my sin is before me always.

6. 6

   To thee only have I sinned, and have done evil before thee: that thou mayst be justified in thy word, and mayst overcome when thou art judged.

7. 7

   For behold I was conceived in iniquities: & my mother conceived me in sins.

8. 8

   For behold thou hast loved truth: the uncertain and hidden things of thy wisdom thou hast made manifest to me.

9. 9

   Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be cleansed: thou shalt wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow.

10. 10

    To my hearing thou shalt give joy and gladness, and the bones humbled shall rejoice.

11. 11

    Turn away thy face from my sins: and wipe away all mine iniquities.

12. 12

    Create a clean heart in me, o God: and renew a right spirit in my bowels.

13. 13

    Cast me not away from thy face: and thy Holy spirit take not from me.

14. 14

    Render unto me the joy of thy salvation? And confirm me with the principal spirit.

15. 15

    I will teach the unjust thy ways: and the impious shall be converted to thee.

16. 16

    Deliver me from bloods, o God, the God of my salvation: and my tongue shall exult thy justice.

17. 17

    Lord thou wilt open my lips: & my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.

18. 18

    Because if thou wouldest have had sacrifice, I had verily given it: with holocausts thou wilt not be delighted.

19. 19

    A sacrifice to God is an afflicted spirit: a contrite and humbled heart, o God, thou wilt not despise.

20. 20

    Deal favourably, o Lord, in thy good will with Sion: that the walls of Jerusalem may be built up.

21. 21

    Then shall thou accept sacrifice of justice, oblations, & holocausts: then shall they lay calves upon thine altar.