| Psalm 51:1-18 Miserere mei, Deus | |
| 1 | Have mercy on me, O God, according to your loving-kindness; * in your great compassion blot out my offenses. |
| 2 | Wash me through and through from my wickedness * and cleanse me from my sin. |
| 3 | For I know my transgressions, * and my sin is ever before me. |
| 4 | Against you only have I sinned * and done what is evil in your sight. |
| 5 | And so you are justified when you speak * and upright in your judgment. |
| 6 | Indeed, I have been wicked from my birth, * a sinner from my mother's womb. |
| 7 | For behold, you look for truth deep within me, * and will make me understand wisdom secretly |
| 8 | Purge me from my sin, and I shall be pure; * wash me, and I shall be clean indeed. |
| 9 | Make me hear of joy and gladness, * that the body you have broken may rejoice. |
| 10 | Hide your face from my sins * and blot out all my iniquities. |
| 11 | Create in me a clean heart, O God, * and renew a right spirit within me. |
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| 12 | Cast me not away from your presence * and take not your holy Spirit from me. |
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| 13 | Give me the joy of your saving help again * and sustain me with your bountiful Spirit. |
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| 14 | I shall teach your ways to the wicked, * and sinners shall return to you. |
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| 15 | Deliver me from death, O God, * and my tongue shall sing of your righteousness, O God of my salvation. |
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| 16 | Open my lips, O Lord, * and my mouth shall proclaim your praise. |
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| 17 | Had you desired it, I would have offered sacrifice, * but you take no delight in burnt-offerings. |
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| 18 | The sacrifice of God is a troubled spirit; * a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise. |
(Thankful to http://www.bcponline.org/ for making the psalm text available online.)
To read more on the Allegri Miserere or to read the Latin text of the psalm, you can go to the site where I first listened to this particular recording of the setting:
http://www.plough.com/en/topics/culture/holidays/meditations-for-lent/allegris-miserere-for-lent
