Psalm 51: The Miserere: Prayer of Repentance

Psalm 51: The Miserere: Prayer of Repentance

For the Leader. A Psalm of David, 2 when Nathan the prophet came to him after his sin with Bathsheba.

Have mercy on me, O God, in your goodness;

in the greatness of your compassion wipe out my offense.

Thoroughly wash me from my guilt and of my sin cleanse me.

For I acknowledge my offense, and my sin is before me always:

“Against you only have I sinned, and done what is evil in your sight”-

That you may be justified in your sentence, vindicated when you condemn.

Indeed, in guilt was I born, and in sin my mother conceived me;

Behold, you are pleased with sincerity of heart, and in my inmost being you teach me wisdom.

Cleanse me of sin with hyssop, that I may be purified; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Let me hear the sounds of joy and gladness; the bones you have crushed shall rejoice.

Turn away your face from my sins, and blot out all my guilt.

A clean heart create for me, O God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me.

Cast me not out form your presence, and your holy spirit take not from me.

Give me back the joy of your salvation, and a willing spirit sustain in me.

I will teach transgressors your ways, and siners shall return to you. Free me from blood guilt, O God, my saving God; then my tongue shall revel in your justice.

O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.

For you are not pleased with sacrifices; should I offer a holocaust, you would not accept it.

My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit;

a heart contrite and humbled, O God, you will not spurn.

Be bountiful, O Lord, to Zion in your kindness by rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem; Then shall you be pleased with due sacrifices, burnt offerings and holocausts;

then shall they offer up bullocks on your altar.

In Psalm 51: The Miserere: Prayer of Repentance, King David throws himself on God’s mercy. He does not make excuses for his sins. Rather, he admits them and then begs God’s mercy. Verse 12 “A clean heart create for me, O God, and a steadfast spirit renew within me” is one of my favorite lines in the psalm. The messages of the psalm is one of contrition and praise, meaning that we should always be contrite before God for our sins and trust in His mercy.

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The Devotion to the Sacred Heart of Jesus: How to Practice the Sacred Heart Devotion by Rev. John Croiset shares the message Jesus gave to St. Margaret Mary about His Sacred Heart. Fr. Croiset was the spiritual director for St. Margaret Mary for 43 years. The book also contains St. Margaret Mary’s prayers to the Sacred Heart and the Sacred Heart Promises.