Ante-Nicene Fathers/Volume IX/The Epistles of Clement/The First Epistle of Clement to the Corinthians/Chapter 18

Chapter XVIII.&#8212;David as an Example of Humility.

But what shall we say concerning David, to whom such testimony was borne, and of whom God said, &#8220;I have found a man after mine own heart, David the son of Jesse; and in everlasting mercy have I anointed him?&#8221; &#160; Yet this very man saith to God, &#8220;Have mercy on me, O Lord, according to Thy great mercy; and according to the multitude of Thy compassions, blot out my transgression. &#160; Wash me still more from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.&#160; For I acknowledge mine iniquity, and my sin is ever before me.&#160; Against Thee only have I sinned, and done that which is evil in Thy sight; that Thou mayest be justified in Thy sayings, and mayest overcome when Thou art judged.&#160; For, behold, I was conceived in transgressions, and in sins did my mother conceive me.&#160; For, behold, Thou hast loved truth; the secret and hidden things of wisdom hast Thou shown me.&#160; Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be cleansed; Thou shalt wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.&#160; Thou shalt make me to hear joy and gladness; my bones, which have been humbled, shall exult.&#160; Turn away Thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.&#160; Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. &#160; Cast me not away from Thy presence, and take not Thy Holy Spirit from me.&#160; Restore to me the joy of Thy salvation, and establish me by Thy governing Spirit.&#160; I will teach transgressors Thy ways, and the ungodly shall be converted unto Thee.&#160; Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation:&#160; my tongue shall exult in Thy righteousness.&#160; O Lord, Thou shalt open my mouth, and my lips shall show forth Thy praise.&#160; For if Thou hadst desired sacrifice, I would have given it; Thou wilt not delight in burnt-offerings.&#160; The sacrifice [acceptable] to God is a bruised spirit; a broken and a contrite heart God will not despise.&#8221;