William Whittingham (1524?-1579), ed. One and Fiftie Psalmes of David in English metre, wherof .37. Were made by Thoma Sterneholde: and the rest by others. Conferred with the hebrewe, and in certeyn places corrected as the text, and sens of the prophete requried. (Geneva, John Crespin, 1556. [STC 16561]

Miserer mei Deus.

Psal. LI


When David was rebuked by the Prophete
Nathan for his gret offences, he dyd not only
acknolage the same to god with protestation
of his naturall corruption, and iniquitie: but a
also left a mimoriall therof to his poste-
ritie. Therfore first he desireth god to forgive
his synnes and renewe in him his holy spirite:
with promesse that he will not be unmyndfull,
of those great graces. Finally fearinge lest god
wolde ponishe the whole churche for his faute:
he requireth that he wolde rather increase his
graces towards the same.

1 O Lorde consider my di-
stresse, and now with speed some pitie
take: my synnes deface, my fautes
redresse, good lorde, for they great mer-
cies sake. 2 Washe me ó lorde, and
make me cleane, from this injuste
and synnefull acte: and purifie
yet once againe, my hainous crime and
bloodie facte.
3 Remorce and sorowe do constrayne
me to acknowlege myne excesse:
My synne alas, dothe still remayne
before my face withowte relesse.
4 For thee alone I have offended,
comittyng evell in thy sight:
and if I were therfore condemned,
yet were thy judgement just and right.
5 It is to manifest alas,
that first I was conceyvd in synne:
yea of my mother so borne was,
and yet vile wretche remaine therin.
6 But notwithstanding thou doest love,
the inwarde trueth of a pure hart:
therfore thy wisedome from above,
thou haste reveld me to convert.
7 If thou with hissope purge this blot,
I shalbe cleaner then the glasse:
and if thou washe away my spot,
the snowe in whitenes shall I passe.
8 Therfore o lorde suche joy me send,
that inwardelie I may fynde grace:
and that my strength may now amend,
which thou haste swagd for my trespas.
9 Turne backe thy face and frowning ire,
for I have felt ynough thy hand:
and purge my synnes I thee desire,
which do in nomber passe the sand.
10 Make now my harte within my brest
and frame it to thy holy will:
thy constant spirit in me let rest,
which may these ragyng enmys kill.
11 Cast me not owte lorde from thy face,
but spedelie my torments ende:
take not from me thy spirite & grace,
which may from daungers me defend.
12 Restore me to those joyes agayne
which I was wonte in thee to fynde:
and let me thy free spirite retayne,
which unto thee may styre my mynde.
13 Thus when I shall thy mercies knowe,
I shall instructe others therin:
and men that are likewise broght lowe,
by myne example shall flee synne.
14 O god that of my health art lorde,
forgyve me thus my bloodie vice:
my harte and tongue shall then accorde
to synge thy mercies and justice.
15 Touche thou my lippes, my tong untie,
o lorde which art the onlie kaye:
and then my mouthe shall testifie,
thy wondrous woorkes and prayse alway.
16 And as for owteward sacrifice,
I wolde have offred many one:
but thou estemes theym of no prise,
and therin pleasure takest thou none.
17 The heavie hart, the mynde opprest,
o lorde thou never doest rejecte:
and to speake truthe it is the best,
and of all sacrifice theffecte.
18 Lorde unto Zion tourne thy face,
powre owte thy mercies on thy hill:
and on Hierusalem thy grace,
builde up the walle, and love it still.
19 Thow shalt accept then our offrynges
of peace and rightuousnes I saye:
yea calves and many other thynges,
upon thyne aulter will we laye.