Scripture: Psalm 51:1-12 (NRSV)
Here we have two very useful “morning after” Psalms. Take these with a glass of water and some Advil. Maybe some tears and a nap.
David’s raw, painful words are so human. David, beloved of God, knew what it was like to screw up. Royally. To be honest, I used to detest David for his stupidity, for the way he treated Bathsheba and had her husband killed. I couldn’t believe that he could still be so precious to God. I thought he should have been banished, out of the public eye and especially out of God’s favor.
I think I’m beginning to understand why he and these words are so precious to God. These Psalms are what real relationship is all about. God wants us – more of us – all of the time. No matter what we do. God wants us to come back ‘prodigal son’ style and we will be welcomed with open arms. God wants us to cry out, to utter these words, or our own version of them, because that means we are in relationship. For many of us, when we make a mistake, we have the opposite approach: to run away. To cover up like Adam and Eve in the garden, to hightail it in the opposite direction like Jonah did. But in these Psalms, David is running straight into God’s arms. Over, and over again.
And God’s response? Love. Over, and over again.
Scripture: Psalm 51:1-12 (NRSV)
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.
2Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
3For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.
4Against 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.
5Indeed, I was born guilty, a sinner when my mother conceived me.
6You desire truth in the inward being; therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart.
7Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have crushed rejoice.
9Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.
10Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.
11Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your holy spirit from me.
12Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain in me a willing spirit.