Daily Devotion – March 16, 2022 – Mary Simonson Clark

Psalm 51:1-17

Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.

Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

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

Against you, you alone, have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight, so that you are justified in your sentence and blameless when you pass judgment.

Indeed, I was born guilty, a sinner when my mother conceived me.

You desire truth in the inward being; therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart.

Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

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

Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.

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

Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your holy spirit from me.

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

Then I will teach transgressors your ways, and sinners will return to you.

Deliver me from bloodshed, O God, O God of my salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of your deliverance.

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

For you have no delight in sacrifice; if I were to give a burnt offering, you would not be pleased.

The sacrifice acceptable to God is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

Devotion

Many commentators associate this psalm with a penitential prayer by David after Nathan confronted him regarding his sinful actions with Bathsheba and against Uriah. Alternatively, it could have been composed for the broader society in recognition that individual sins impact entire communities. Luther believed this psalm is foundational for understanding true repentance. It continues to powerfully inform and guide our journeys to repent our sins.

When we reflect on how sin brings agonizing devastation into our individual lives and painful brokenness into our community relationships—including our relationships with God—its apparent reconciliation is far beyond human powers. It requires creation (v. 10), the making of something new that did not exist previously. Creation is only within God’s power to accomplish. Verses 10-12 are our offertory lyrics through which we plead to be restored to a new and joyful relationship with God. God will not ignore our broken, contrite hearts!

Prayer

Creator God, cleanse our hearts and bring us back into a new, right relationship with you. Give us willing spirits to joyfully serve you. Amen.