Ash Wednesday | A Psalm of Hope

5 Behold, You have made my days a few handbreadths,

    and my lifetime is as nothing before You.

  Surely all mankind stands as a mere breath! Selah

6 Surely a man goes about as a shadow!

  Surely for nothing they are in turmoil; man heaps up wealth 

  and does not know who will gather!

7 “And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in You.

8 Deliver me from all my transgressions.

    Do not make me the scorn of the fool!”

In today’s Psalm, David is acknowledging how brief this life is and the need to be delivered from his transgressions. It is noted in the Lutheran Study Bible that Augustine wrote: “In no other way can you be perfect in this life, than by knowing you cannot be perfect in this life.” David would be the first to admit he is not perfect. 

The psalm assigned for today, Ash Wednesday, is Psalm 51, written by David after his eyes were opened to his grievous sins surrounding his affair with Bathsheba.

Ash Wednesday begins a penitential season that encourages us to reflect on our own actions and thoughts, stemming from our hearts and minds. Using a psalm of repentance makes sense as we begin our journey through Lent. 

As we move through the season of Lent, always remember: God is a God of abundance, not of want. In Him and His forgiveness of sin do we find hope.

We pray: Gracious Father, forgive me when I am not aligned with You in heart and mind. Forgive me for my sin. Help me to hear Your Word. Help to find the hope of everlasting life through Your Son Jesus Christ. Amen.