Psalm 51 (Miserere): Prayer for Mercy and Forgiveness

Psalm 51 (Psalm 50 in the Douay numbering), known by its Latin first word Miserere, is the great psalm of repentance. Tradition connects it to King David after the prophet Nathan confronted him with his sin. It has shaped Christian sorrow for sin for three thousand years and is prayed every Friday morning in the Liturgy of the Hours and throughout Lent.

Pray it before Confession, during an examination of conscience, on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday, or any time you want to return to God. It does not stop at guilt. It moves toward hope, asking for a clean heart, a steadfast spirit, and the joy of salvation. The opening verses in the Douay-Rheims version are below.

The Prayer

Have mercy on me, O God, according to thy great mercy. And according to the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my iniquity. Wash me yet more from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my iniquity, and my sin is always before me. To thee only have I sinned, and have done evil before thee. Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be cleansed: thou shalt wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow. Turn away thy face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create a clean heart in me, O God: and renew a right spirit within my bowels. Cast me not away from thy face; and take not thy holy spirit from me. Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation, and strengthen me with a perfect spirit.

Sources: Psalm 50 (51):3-6, 9, 11-14, Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.

---

If these prayers help you, you can support Daily Catholic Prayers, a private passion project, starting at $5.