IV.
As you spend time with the Psalm today, pay attention to the words of confession.

V.
Psalm 51:1–4, 10–12, 15–17

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.

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.

VI.
The Psalmist speaks of transgressions, iniquity, sin, and evil.

And he certainly seems to claim all are part of his life.

How important is it that the Psalmist claims –

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

And yet, the Psalmist proclaims –

… a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

How is such a claim part of confession?

charles
{ubi caritas et amor, Deus ibi est}