Psalms 51 Comparison: Noyes Translation (1869) vs King James Version
Psalms 51
1Be gracious unto me, O God! according to thy loving kindness; According to the greatness of thy mercy, blot out my transgressions!
2Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, And cleanse me from my sin!
3For I acknowledge my transgressions, And my sin is ever before me.
4Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, And in thy sight have I done evil; So that thou art just in thy sentence, And righteous in thy judgment.
5Behold! I was born in iniquity, And in sin did my mother conceive me.
6Behold! thou desirest truth in the heart; So teach me wisdom in my inmost soul!
7Purge me with hyssop, until I be clean; Wash me, until I be whiter than snow!
8Make me to hear joy and gladness, So that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice!
9Hide thy face from my sins, And blot out all my iniquities!
10Create within me a clean heart, O God! Renew within me a steadfast spirit!
11Cast me not away from thy presence, And take not thy holy spirit from me!
12Restore to me the joy of thy protection, And strengthen me with a willing spirit!
13Then will I teach thy ways to transgressors, And sinners shall be converted to thee.
14Deliver me from the guilt of blood, O God, the God of my salvation! That my tongue may sing aloud of thy goodness!
15O Lord! open thou my lips, That my mouth may show forth thy praise!
16For thou desirest not sacrifice, else would I give it; Thou delightest not in burnt-offerings.
17The sacrifice which God loveth is a broken spirit; A broken and contrite heart, O God! thou wilt not despise!
18Do good to Zion according to thy mercy; Build up the walls of Jerusalem!
19Then shalt thou be pleased with sacrifices of righteousness, With burnt-offerings and complete offerings; Then shall bullocks be offered upon thine altar.
Psalms 51
1Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
2Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
3For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
4Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
5Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
6Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
7Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
9Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
10Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
11Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
12Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
13Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
14Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.
15O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.
16For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.
17The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
18Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.
19Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.
Understanding Noyes Translation (1869) vs King James Version in Psalms 51
Noyes Translation (1869) (Noyes)
A scholarly 1869 translation by George R. Noyes, aiming for precision and literary beauty. Known for its distinct Unitarian perspective and separate translation of poetical books like Psalms.
King James Version (KJV)
The classic 1611 English translation known for its majestic prose and literary influence. Ideal for traditional study and memorization thanks to its formal style. A foundational English Bible used for centuries.
You are viewing a side-by-side comparison of Psalms 51 in the Noyes Translation (1869) and King James Version. Comparing these two versions can help shed light on the nuances of the original text.
Key Comparison: Psalms 51:16
"For thou desirest not sacrifice, else would I give it; Thou delightest not in burnt-offerings."
"For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering."
