Create in Me a Clean Heart

Verses 1–9 · facing the full weight of sin

1. ^{verse 1}Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your loving devotion; according to Your great compassion, blot out my transgressions.
2. ^{verse 2}Wash me clean of my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.
3. ^{verse 3}For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me.
4. ^{verse 4}Against You, You only, have I sinned and done what is evil in Your sight, so that You may be proved right when You speak and blameless when You judge.
5. ^{verse 5}Surely I was brought forth in iniquity; I was sinful when my mother conceived me.
6. ^{verse 6}Surely You desire truth in the inmost being; You teach me wisdom in the inmost place.
7. ^{verse 7}Purify me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
8. ^{verse 8}Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones You have crushed rejoice.
9. ^{verse 9}Hide Your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquities.

Verses 10–19 · asking for a new heart and restored joy

1. ^{verse 10}Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
2. ^{verse 11}Cast me not away from Your presence; take not Your Holy Spirit from me.
3. ^{verse 12}Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and sustain me with a willing spirit.
4. ^{verse 13}Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners will return to You.
5. ^{verse 14}Deliver me from bloodguilt, O God, the God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing of Your righteousness.
6. ^{verse 15}O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise.
7. ^{verse 16}For You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; You take no pleasure in burnt offerings.
8. ^{verse 17}The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, You will not despise.
9. ^{verse 18}In Your good pleasure, cause Zion to prosper; build up the walls of Jerusalem.
10. ^{verse 19}Then You will delight in righteous sacrifices, in whole burnt offerings; then bulls will be offered on Your altar.