Evening
Psalm 50 (51): Have Mercy on Me, O God
“Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit in my inward parts.”Psalm 50:10 (51:10)
Reflection
If the Church has one psalm of repentance, it is this one, prayed by David after the prophet Nathan confronted him with his sin. Orthodox Christians hear it constantly: it is read at the Third Hour and at Compline, it is part of the daily morning prayers in the Slavonic prayer book, and the deacon or priest says it while censing the church before the Divine Liturgy. In the Septuagint it is Psalm 50; most English Bibles call it Psalm 51. It is a good psalm for the end of the day, when we look back honestly. It does not wallow. It moves from “Have mercy” to “Create in me a clean heart,” and then on to joy, to teaching others, and to praise. God is not looking for a performance of sorrow, but for “a broken and humbled heart,” and that, the psalm promises, he will not despise. Text: Brenton's translation of the Septuagint (1851), with the psalm's heading left out as it is in prayer.
A prayer
Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy great mercy; and according to the multitude of thy compassions blot out my transgression. Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For I am conscious of mine iniquity; and my sin is continually before me. Against thee only have I sinned, and done evil before thee: that thou mightest be justified in thy sayings, and mightest overcome when thou art judged. For, behold, I was conceived in iniquities, and in sins did my mother conceive me. For, behold, thou lovest truth: thou hast manifested to me the secret and hidden things of thy wisdom. Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be purified: thou shalt wash me, and I shall be made whiter than snow. Thou shalt cause me to hear gladness and joy: the afflicted bones shall rejoice. Turn away thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit in my inward parts. Cast me not away from thy presence; and remove not thy Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of thy salvation: establish me with thy directing Spirit. Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and ungodly men shall turn to thee. Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation: and my tongue shall joyfully declare thy righteousness. O Lord, thou shalt open my lips; and my mouth shall declare thy praise. For if thou desiredst sacrifice, I would have given it: thou wilt not take pleasure in whole-burnt-offerings. Sacrifice to God is a broken spirit: a broken and humbled heart God will not despise. Do good, O Lord, to Sion in thy good pleasure; and let the walls of Jerusalem be built. Then shalt thou be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, offering, and whole-burnt-sacrifices: then shall they offer calves upon thine altar.
Carry this with you
Bring God one honest thing from today, and leave it with his mercy. If it is heavy, take it to confession.