A PRAYER OF PENITENCE
Psalm 51:1-4; 6-17

Min: Have mercy upon me, O God, According to Your lovingkindness;

According to the multitude of Your tender mercies, Blot out my transgressions.

Min: Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,

And cleanse me from my sin.

Min: For I acknowledge my transgressions,

And my sin is ever before me.

Min: Against You, You only, have I sinned, And done this evil in Your sight

That You may be found just when You speak, And blameless when You judge.

Min: Behold, You desire truth in the inward parts,

And in the hidden part You will make me to know wisdom.

Min: Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;

Wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Min: Make me to hear joy and gladness,

That the bones which You have broken may rejoice.

Min: Hide Your face from my sins,

And blot out all my iniquities.

Min: Create in me a clean heart, O God,

And renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Min: Do not cast me away from Your presence,

And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.

Min: Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,

And uphold me with Your generous Spirit.

Min: Then I will teach transgressors Your ways,

And sinners shall be converted to You.

Min: Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, The God of my salvation,

And my tongue shall sing aloud of Your righteousness.

Min: O Lord, open my lips,

And my mouth shall show forth Your praise.

Min: For You do not desire sacrifice, or else I would give it;

You do not delight in burnt offering.

Min: The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit,

A broken and a contrite heart These, O God, You will not despise.