“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge. Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb; you taught me wisdom in that secret place. Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you. Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, you who are God my Savior, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness. Open my lips, Lord, and my mouth will declare your praise. You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.” Psalm 51:1-16

The words, “Create in me a clean heart” from Psalm 51, have long been a part of the church’s worship life. For example, in Evangelical Lutheran Worship, four hymn settings of verses 10-12 are available as options for each of ten worship settings (see ELW pages 106, 128 and hymns 185-188). And, for the astute listener, this petition is not only a prayer for individuals in distress, but it is also a prayer for the community on Ash Wednesday and for the worship of G-d’s People each week.

There are certain Psalms that I would encourage any Christian to remember certain lines, and verses, and to memorize them if possible. Psalm 51 is one of those Psalms. We have been given a lot to handle in these last four to five weeks — and it is in times like these that we should turn to the Psalms to find some comfort.

PRAYER

Almighty and merciful Father, you freely forgive those who, as David of old, acknowledge and confess their sins. Create in us pure hearts, and wash away all our sins in the blood of your dear Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

April 22nd — Psalm 52

“Why do you boast, O mighty one, of mischief done against the godly? All day long you are plotting destruction. Your tongue is like a sharp razor, you worker of treachery. You love evil more than good, and lying more than speaking the truth. You love all words that devour,O deceitful tongue. But God will break you down forever; he will snatch and tear you from your tent; he will uproot you from the land of the living. The righteous will see, and fear, and will laugh at the evildoer, saying, “See the one who would not take refuge in God, but trusted in abundant riches, and sought refuge in wealth!” But I am like a green olive tree in the house of God. I trust in the steadfast love of God forever and ever. I will thank you forever, because of what you have done. In the presence of the faithful I will proclaim your name, for it is good.” Psalm 52

Psalm 52 sets before us two different approaches to life – those who are into devouring — and those who are into trusting. Which one do you think G-d wants us to do? Of course, it is better to trust — it is to each persons long-range benefit to learn to trust our G-d.

But leaving that duality behind just for the moment, you have to be intrigued with the image of “a green olive tree in the house of God.” Have you ever felt like a tree flourishing in G-d’s house? What could this mean? I believe G-d wants all of creation to live a life where they feel as if they can flourish — especially in the house of the Lord. The Prophet Jeremiah writes: “The Lord once called you, ‘A green olive tree, fair with goodly fruit’; but with the roar of a great tempest he will set fire to it, and its branches will be consumed.” I am not so sure that the church has a more refined history of setting fire to the fresh growth of new ideas than it does in allowing newness and change to flourish. We should always be reminding ourselves that if flourishing is to continue, it needs to continue to deepen and strengthen its roots or it, too, will fail.

The image of a green olive tree is not a cause for pride, but an investment in deeper roots to have greener leaves and more bountiful fruit. When satisfaction sets in, roots wither, ever so slightly at first, and fruits are reduced. It’s not easy being green.

PRAYER

Heavenly Father, you cut down the unfruitful branch for burning and prune the fertile to make it bear more fruit. Make us grow like rich olive trees in your kingdom, firmly rooted in the power and mercy of your Son, Jesus Christ our Lord

Amen.