I.
For the next several weeks we will spend time with some of the Psalms, starting this week with Psalm 51.

While this Psalm for many is not one of the most well known Psalms (e.g. Psalm 23, Psalm 1, and Psalm 100) it certainly ranks close.

For some it may be associated with Ash Wednesday and Lent.

As you begin to spend time reading and hearing this Psalm, see if you can hear the depth from which the Psalmist gives voice to these words.

II.
Psalm 51:1–4, 10–12, 15–17 (NRSVue)

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.

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.

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.

III.
Would you call Psalm 51 a Psalm of confession or a Psalm of petition?

If you consider it confessional, what is the Psalmist confessing?

If it is petitional, what is the Psalmist asking for?

What is your attention drawn to in the Psalm?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}