The ancient Credo--notice that the psalm opens up with the basis for every petition that follows --

• have mercy on me, O God,

• according to your steadfast love;

• according to your abundant mercy

• blot out my transgressions

Structure --

• Address to Deity
• (Orientation implied;)
• Disorientation--Petition in light of personal situation
• Petition for restoration
• If / Then construction
• Reorientation -- awareness of what God is really after in our life

When can this kind of prayer be used?

a. Liturgically -- in the congregation as an act of worship

b. When I feel at my lowest points, when I feel depressed, discouraged, despondent, and overwhelmed

c. When I know that I have not said the right kinds of words, done the right thing . . .

 

Why should we pay attention to sin? What is it? What does it do?

What’s the big deal about sin? I mean, we all sin a little bit, you know, white lies, fibs, a little holding back the full amount of information because it will hurt our objectives. So we sin. What? Is God going to send straight to hell because I held back some of the truth, because I acted out of selfishness, because I wasn’t Christian enough?

On occasion I have squandered hours of time away from my family surfing the internet web; felt terrible afterward as I crawl into bed; everyone’s long been asleep; so I lie in bed wishing I could have made a better decision, wishing to God that I could have the evening over again, to make a better decision.

Sin leaves scars on our lives just as wrong decisions can lead to wounds and separation, erasing more and more of our humanity until we cease to exist as a person.

 

The season of Lent is an "Honest to God" kind of season that invites us to name sin in our life and our need to receive forgiveness from a forgiving, loving God.

I appreciate this psalm because it is honest. Gut level honest. No beating around the bush. No gentle segways that lead us to the discovery that in some small way we might be sinners. No gradual crescendo that builds into the fervor of a revival meeting. Just gut level honesty. If we want to enter into conversation with Psalm 51, we must also be honest. Honest to ourselves. Honest to God.

Psalm 51 -- Keeps our halos ajar, tilted downward toward the earth. It has my name on it. Reminds me of who I am and by God’s grace, whose I am.