The Book of Psalms in metre close and proper to the Hebrew, smooth and pleasant for the metre, plain and easie for the tunes : with musical notes, arguments, annotations, and index : fitted for the ready use and understanding of all good Christians.

PSAL. LI.

To sinners tune.

David bitterly laments his sin, and sues for pardon and peace of conscience.

HAve mercy LORD, and pitie take, On me in my distress: For thine abundant mercy sake, Blot out my wickedness. [verse 2] O wash me clean from filthiness, And sep'rate sin from me: [verse 3] For my transgressions I confess, My sin I alwayes see. [verse 4] Against thee LORD, and onely thee, Did I my sins commit: That, when thou speak'st and judgest me, Thou might'st be clear and quit. I did this evill in thy sight: Whereby ô Lord thou shalt Be said to pass thy judgement right, And I in all the fault. [verse 5] My shape is sin LORD thou dost see, For I am form'd therein: My mother hath conceived me, Even in the heat of sin. [verse 6] Lo, thou requirest truth sincere, In every inward part: Thou mad'st me to know wisdome there, In secret of my heart.

[verse 7] Purge me with hyssope, and I know, I shall be clean and free: And whiter then the driven snow, If also washt by thee. [verse 8] Oh then let joy and gladnes speak, And make me hear their voice: That so the bones which thou did'st break, May feelingly rejoyce.

2. Part.

Argument.

David prays for renewing grace, and for the Church which he had scandalized.

[verse 9] LOrd hide thine eies from all my sin, And my misdeeds deface: [verse 10] O God make clean my heart within, Renew my mind with grace. [verse 11] O cast me not away from thee, (Thy presence shunning mine) Nor ever take away from me, That holy Spirit of thine. [verse 12] The joyes of thy salvation LORD, Restore to me again: And thy free Spirit to me afford, My soul for to sustain. [verse 13] And to transgressors I will teach, Thy wayes to penitent men: And sinners (unto whom I preach) Shall be converted then. [verse 14] From guilt of bloud-shed quit me Lord, Thou God and Saviour mine: Then shall my song aloud record Thy righteousness divine. [verse 15] Unlock my lips, and then my task. Shall be thy praise to show:

[verse 16] For sacrifice thou dost not ask, Which else I would bestow. Burnt-offring is not thy delight, But other sacrifice: [verse 17] A broken heart, a soul contrite, Thou wilt not Lord despise. [verse 18] Of thy good pleasure Sion bless, Build up Jerus'lems wall: [verse 19] Pure sacrifice of righteousness, Thou shalt be pleas'd withall. Burnt offrings then, and those entire, In sacrifice shall they: With Bullocks (fit for holy fire) Upon thine Altars lay.

Notes

• His adultery & murther 2 Sam. 11.
• As a ghost in my sight. As the onely punisher or pardoner, Oh what a majesty have I offended?
• Originall corruption aggravates, and so doth grace recei∣ved.
• With the bloud of Christ, signi∣fied by it.
• Exod. 12. 22.
• As unable to recover of himself.
• By publish∣ing this Psalm of my fall, and thy favour.