At my church, Lent began on Ash Wednesday with a reading of Psalm 51.
Read Psalm 51. The first words are "Have mercy on me, O God...." Isn't that a great way to start Lent? Brought me to silent tears.
Oh, God, Have mercy on me. Forgive my sins. Help me forgive and love as You do. Help me to understand my need for You. Help me to be thankful, so thankful, that I reflect You and Your love and forgiveness to others. Prepare me to fully accept You in my heart and repent from all of my wickedness, even the wickedness that I have yet to acknowledge. Help me. Save me. Thank You for Your sacrifice. Amen
Lent, the time when we are supposed to prepare, reflect, repent, forgive, actually look at ourselves and feel why we need Jesus. A time to understand why we need Jesus. Why we need Jesus....
on the cross,
in the grave,
then triumphantly standing nearby.
Read Psalm 51. The first words are "Have mercy on me, O God...." Isn't that a great way to start Lent? Brought me to silent tears.
Oh, God, Have mercy on me. Forgive my sins. Help me forgive and love as You do. Help me to understand my need for You. Help me to be thankful, so thankful, that I reflect You and Your love and forgiveness to others. Prepare me to fully accept You in my heart and repent from all of my wickedness, even the wickedness that I have yet to acknowledge. Help me. Save me. Thank You for Your sacrifice. Amen
Psalm 51:1-17
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.
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;
you teach me wisdom in the inmost place.
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;
you teach 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.
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.
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 a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart,
O God, you will not despise.
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 a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart,
O God, you will not despise.