Music Monday-- Miserere Mei, Deus

Today's Music Monday is the haunting chant, Miserere Mei Deus, or Have Mercy on me, God. It is the Choir of Westminster Abbey chanting the Latin version of Psalm 51.

Have mercy on me, God, in your kindness. In your compassion, blot out my offense.
Wash me more and more from my guilt and cleanse me of my sin.
For my offenses, truly I know them, my sin is ever before me.
Against you, you alone have I sinned. What is evil in your sight, I have done,
that you may be justified when you give sentence, clear when you judge.
Behold, in guilt I was born. In sin did my mother conceive me.
You desire sincerity and in secret, you teach me wisdom.
Clean me with hyssop that I may be pure; Wash me and I will be white as snow.
You will let me hear gladness and joy; that the bones you have crushed may rejoice.
Turn away your face from my sins; block out all my iniquities.
Create in me a clean heart, Oh God; put a steadfast spirit within me.
Cast me not away from your presence, nor deprive me of your Holy Spirit.
Restore to me the gladness of salvation; uphold me with a willing spirit.
I will teach the wicked your ways that sinners may return to you.
Rescue me from violent bloodshed, God, my saving God
and my tongue will sing joyfully of your justice.
Lord, open my lips and my mouth will proclaim your praise.
My sacrifice, Oh God, is a contrite spirit.
A contrite and humbled heart, Oh God, you will not spurn.
Treat Zion kindly, according to your good will; build up the walls of Jerusalem.
Then you will desire sacrifices of the just, burnt and whole offerings;
They will offer young bulls upon your altar.