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Psalm 51 (Greek numbering: Psalm 50), traditionally referred to as the Miserere, its Latin incipit, is one of the Penitential Psalms. It begins with: "Have mercy on me, O God..."
As a penitential psalm, Psalm 50 (using the Septuagint numbering) is one of the most frequently used psalms in the Eastern Orthodox Church and those Eastern Catholic Churches which follow the Byzantine Rite. It is typically included during the Mystery of Repentance (corresponding to the sacrament of confession), in personal daily prayers, and many of the liturgical services.
As a penitential psalm, Psalm 50 (using the Septuagint numbering) is one of the most frequently used psalms in the Eastern Orthodox Church and those Eastern Catholic Churches which follow the Byzantine Rite. It is typically included during the Mystery of Repentance (corresponding to the sacrament of confession), in personal daily prayers, and many of the liturgical services.
Psalm 51 (Psalm 50 in the Septuagint numbering):
[01] Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
blot out my transgressions.
[02] Wash away all my iniquity
and cleanse me from my sin.
[03] For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is always before me.
[04] Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight;
so you are right in your verdict
and justified when you judge.
[05] Surely I was sinful at birth,
sinful from the time my mother conceived me.
[06] Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb;
you taught me wisdom in that secret place.
[07] Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.
[08] Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
[09] Hide your face from my sins
and blot out all my iniquity.
[10] Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
[11] Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.
[12] Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
[13] Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
so that sinners will turn back to you.
[14] Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God,
you who are God my Savior,
and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.
[15] Open my lips, Lord,
and my mouth will declare your praise.
[16] You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
[17] My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart
you, God, will not despise.
[18] May it please you to prosper Zion,
to build up the walls of Jerusalem.
[19] Then you will delight in the sacrifices of the righteous,
in burnt offerings offered whole;
then bulls will be offered on your altar.
