In his unprecedented admission of personal turmoil, President Clinton said he had 'a broken spirit' and had hit rock bottom.
In his latest apology - in which, for the first time, he said sorry to former intern Monica Lewinsky - the President also acknowledged his grave mistake in failing to soothe America's anger when he first had the chance on August 17.
'I agree with those who have said that in my first statement after I testified, I was not contrite enough,' he said in his speech to religious leaders.
Reading from a prepared text, Mr Clinton said he felt genuine sorrow for the acts which have thrown his presidency into crisis.
'But I believe, to be forgiven, more than sorrow is required,' he went on, saying he also needed genuine repentance, a determination to change his ways, and to give up his tendency to blame others for his predicament.
'I have repented. If my repentance is genuine and sustained, and if I can maintain both a broken spirit and a strong heart, then good can come of this for our country as well as for me and my family,' he said.