Psalm 51

Happy Ash Wednesday. Today is the beginning of the 40 days of Lent. I am excited for this time of drawing closer to God and falling more deeply in love with Him. I can't wait to see how He speaks to me, how He uses me, and how He invites me to know and love Him on a deeper level.

At Mass tonight, the first reading (Joel 2:12-18) particularly struck me. "For gracious and merciful is he, slow to anger, rich in kindness, and relenting in punishment" (Joel 2:13). I want so much to be like that. I don't ever recall hearing those words and not feeling something stirring in my heart that says, "THAT'S the right attitude." What better time than Lent to practice that kind of behavior? This is a time of deeper prayer, deeper knowledge of God, and deeper belief in His promises. Lord, I pray that you would make me gracious and merciful, slow to anger, rich in kindness, and relenting in punishment. Make me more like You.

The Psalm read at Mass tonight was Psalm 51. If you haven't read it, I encourage you to do so. Even if you have read it, read it again. Something amazing happens when you read scripture multiple times...something different pops out at you each time! That's just how awesome God is and how true His words are. :) So here you go:

Psalm 51 - The Miserere: Prayer of Repentance

"Have mercy on me, God, in your goodness;
in your abundant compassion blot out my offense.
Wash away all my guilt; from my sin cleanse me.
For I know my offense; my sin is always before me.
Against you alone have I sinned;
I have done such evil in your sight
That you are just in your sentence,
blameless when you condemn.
True, I was born guilty, a sinner,
even as my mother conceived me.
Still, you insist on sincerity of heart;
in my inmost being teach me wisdom.
Cleanse me with hyssop, that I may be pure;
wash me, make me whiter than snow.
Let me hear sounds of joy and gladness;
let the bones you have crushed rejoice.

Turn away your face from my sins,
blot out all my guilt.
A clean heart create for me, God;
renew in me a steadfast spirit.
Do not drive me from your presence,
nor take from me your holy spirit.
Restore my joy in your salvation;
sustain in me a willing spirit.
I will teach the wicked your ways,
that sinners may return to you.
Rescue me from death, God, my saving God,
that my tongue may praise your healing power.
Lord, open my lips;
my mouth will proclaim your praise.
For you do not desire sacrifice;
a burnt offering you would not accept.
My sacrifice, God, is a broken spirit;
God, do not spurn a broken, humbled heart.

Make Zion prosper in your good pleasure;
rebuild the walls of Jerusalem.
Then you will be pleased with proper sacrifice,
burnt offerings and holocausts;
then bullocks will be offered on your altar."


I hope you actually read that and didn't just scroll down to the end. It is really such a beautiful psalm. Anyway, I am just struck by how wonderfully honest this is. It's a cry out to God, saying "I'm a sinner, Lord, but wipe it all away. Give me a clean heart. Just open my lips and I will sing your praises." This psalm is the cry of my heart today as I begin these forty days leading up to the Resurrection. I pray that God would help me put my past behind me and just cling to Him. I pray for the same for all of you as well. Let's join together and grow stronger in Christ!