Create in me a clean heart, O God
(2 Samuel 12:1-12)
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Unto the end, a psalm of David,
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When Nathan the prophet came to him after he had sinned with Bethsabee.
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Have mercy on me, O God, according to thy great mercy. And according to the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my iniquity.
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Wash me yet more from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
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For I know my iniquity, and my sin is always before me.
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To thee only have I sinned, and have done evil before thee: that thou mayst be justified in thy words and mayst overcome when thou art judged.
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For behold I was conceived in iniquities; and in sins did my mother conceive me.
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For behold thou hast loved truth: the uncertain and hidden things of thy wisdom thou hast made manifest to me.
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Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be cleansed: thou shalt wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow.
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To my hearing thou shalt give joy and gladness: and the bones that have been humbled shall rejoice.
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Turn away thy face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.
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Create a clean heart in me, O God: and renew a right spirit within my bowels.
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Cast me not away from thy face; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
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Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation, and strengthen me with a perfect spirit.
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I will teach the unjust thy ways: and the wicked shall be converted to thee.
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Deliver me from blood, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall extol thy justice.
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O Lord, thou wilt open my lips: and my mouth shall declare thy praise.
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For if thou hadst desired sacrifice, I would indeed have given it: with burnt offerings thou wilt not be delighted.
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A sacrifice to God is an afflicted spirit: a contrite and humbled heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
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Deal favourably, O Lord, in thy good will with Sion; that the walls of Jerusalem may be built up.
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Then shalt thou accept the sacrifice of justice, oblations and whole burnt offerings: then shall they lay calves upon thy altar.