Wednesday

March 4, 2009

Psalm 51

1 Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
blot out my transgressions.

2 Wash away all my iniquity
and cleanse me from my sin.

3 For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is always before me.

4 Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you are proved right when you speak
and justified when you judge.

5 Surely I was sinful at birth,
sinful from the time my mother conceived me.

6 Surely you desire truth in the inner parts [a] ;
you teach [b] me wisdom in the inmost place.

7 Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.

8 Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones you have crushed rejoice.

9 Hide your face from my sins
and blot out all my iniquity.

10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

11 Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.

12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

13 Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
and sinners will turn back to you.

14 Save me from bloodguilt, O God,
the God who saves me,
and my tongue will sing of your righteousness.

15 O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth will declare your praise.

16 You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;
you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.

17 The sacrifices of God are [c] a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart,
O God, you will not despise.

18 In your good pleasure make Zion prosper;
build up the walls of Jerusalem.

19 Then there will be righteous sacrifices,
whole burnt offerings to delight you;
then bulls will be offered on your altar.

Reflection

Of today's lectionary texts, I found Psalm 51 to be the most applicable to my life during this Lenten season. Though written by David as a "Prayer of Cleansing and Pardon" after his affair with Bathsheba, it struck me as strikingly applicable to my life. After weeks of all-nighters in the library… and at the fraternity houses… it's time for a serious reality check. I need a "right spirit within me." I need God to "wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin."

We often think of Lent as a time to prepare and contemplate; often we do this by giving up things we are "addicted" to, like eating candy, swearing, or watching TV. Instead of giving up soft drinks again this year, maybe seeking an honest relationship with God would benefit me more than a caffeine withdrawal. God desires "truth in the inward being." Saying to God every morning, "Restore in me the joy of your salvation, and sustain in me a willing spirit."

No matter how we choose to set aside our time for contemplation during Lent, it is only with God's help that we can reach our goals. Whether it's giving up something or working toward better habits or attitudes, we must do it in a "right spirit."

"Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me." Amen.

Written by a PC Sophomore

Today Please Pray For:

Women’s and Men’s Tennis Team