The First Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians

But what shall we say of the famous David?[*](The humility of David) Of him said God, I have found a man after my own heart, David the son of Jesse, I have anointed him with eternal mercy;

but he too says to God Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy

Wash me yet more from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin; for I know my iniquity, and my sin is ever before me.

Against thee only did I sin, and did evil before thee, that thou mightest be justified in thy words, and mightest overcome when thou art judged.

For, lo, I was conceived in iniquity, and in sin did my mother bear me.

For, behold, thou hast loved truth, thou didst make plain to me the secret and hidden things of thy wisdom.

Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be cleansed; tliou shalt wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Thou shalt make me hear joy and gladness; the bones which have been humbled shall rejoice.

Turn thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.

Create a clean heart in me, O God, and renew a right spirit in my inmost parts.

Cast me not away from thy presence, and take not thy Holy Spirit from me.

Give me back the gladness of thy salvation, strengthen me with thy governing spirit.

I will teach the wicked thy ways, and the ungodly shall be converted unto thee.

Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation.

My tongue shall rejoice in thy righteousness. O Lord, thou shalt open my mouth, and my lips shall tell of thy praise.

For if thou hadst desired sacrifice, I would have given it; in whole burnt offerings thou wilt not delight.

The sacrifice unto God is a broken spirit, a broken and a humbled heart God shall not despise.