23 And again he saith, I am as the smoke of the pot. 24 And what shall we say of David, so highly testified of in the Holy Scriptures? To whom God said, I have found a man after my own heart, David the son of Jesse, with my holy oil have I anointed him. 25 But yet he himself saith unto God, Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy loving kindness; according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies, blot out my transgressions. 26 Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I acknowledge my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. 27 Against 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. 28 Behold I was shapen in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. 29 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts; and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. 30 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 31 Make me to hear joy and gladness, that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. 32 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart O God; and renew a right spirit within me. 34 Cast me not away from thy presence, and take not thy holy spirit from me. 35 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation, and uphold me with thy free spirit. 36 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways, and sinners shall be converted unto thee. 37 Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation; and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness. 38 O Lord open thou my lips, and my mouth shall. show forth thy praise. 39 For thou desirest not sacrifice, else would I give it; thou delightest not in burnt-offerings. 40 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise. CHAPTER IX. He again persuades them to compose their divisions. THUS has the humility and godly fear of these great and excellent men recorded in the Scriptures, through obedience, made not only us, but also the generations before us better; even as many as have received his holy oracles with fear and truth. 2 Having therefore so many, and such great and glorious examples, let us return to that peace which was the mark that from the beginning was set before us; 3 Let us look up to the Father and Creator of the whole world; and let us hold fast to his glorious and exceeding gifts and benefits of peace. 4 Let us consider and behold with the eyes of our understanding his long suffering will; and think how gentle and patient he is towards his whole creation. 5 The heavens moving by his appointment, are subject to him in peace. 6 Day and night accomplish the courses that he has allotted unto them, not disturbing one another.