A Psalm of Preparation

As we ponder Holy Week and prepare for it, we again turn to this psalm of David to focus our hearts and minds on God’s reconciliation for us through sacrificial love as His face “shines on us.”

Create in Me a Clean Heart, O God

To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet went to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.

1 Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your steadfast love;

  according to Your abundant mercy blot out my 

  transgressions.

2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,

    and cleanse me from my sin!

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

4 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.

5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,

    and in sin did my mother conceive me.

6 Behold, You delight in truth in the inward being,

    and You teach me wisdom in the secret heart.

9 Hide Your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God,

    and renew a right spirit within me.

11 Cast me not away from Your presence,

    and take not Your Holy Spirit from me.

12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,

    and uphold me with a willing spirit.

14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, O God of my 

  salvation, and my tongue will sing aloud of Your 

  righteousness.

15 O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise.