The Worship Quote of the Week for (02/24/2004):

Prayer of Confession—Psalm 51
Sometimes we seem to need a reminder of the gravity of our sin against God. Today’s WORSHIP QUOTE is a prayer of confession—David’s song of penitence from Psalm 51. Here are verses 1-17 in the English Standard Version. Do you have time today to meditate on God’s word?


A PRAYER OF CONFESSION—PSALM 51:1-17
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 only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you may be justified in your words
and blameless in your judgment.
Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
and in sin did my mother conceive me,
Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being,
and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.

Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean,
wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones that you have broken rejoice.
Hide your face from my sins.
and blot our my iniquities.
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.
Cast me not away from your presence,
and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation,
and uphold me with a willing spirit.

Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
and sinners will return to you.
Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God.
O God of my salvation,
and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.
O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth will declare your praise.
For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it;
you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and a contrite heart, O God,
you will not despise.

— Psalm 51:1-17 from THE HOLY BIBLE: ENGLISH STANDARD VERSION. Wheaton: Crossway Bibles, 2001.


[If you need a reminder of what Jesus said about confessing sin, take a look at Luke 18:9-14.]

Have a great week,


Chip Stam
Director, Institute for Christian Worship
School of Church Music and Worship
Southern Baptist Theological Seminary
Louisville, Kentucky
carlstam@aol.com
www.carlstam.org
www.sbts.edu

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