Prayerfully reciting the penitential psalms helps us to recognize our sinfulness, express our sorrow and ask for God’s forgiveness.
In Psalm 51, King David, guilty of adultery tearfully turns to God for mercy. King David is a symbol of all mankind guilty of sinning before God, but also a symbol of faithful Israel who turns to God for mercy. From the Psalm’s first line: David, isn’t making excuses for his sin, he isn’t bringing to mind his own past deeds to exonerate himself, he isn’t trying to weasel out of his guilt due to any extenuating circumstances. He is guilty, he admits it, and he knows only God’s mercy can save him.
We do well to pray with the Penitential Psalms today, particularly Psalm 51. Do so meditatively and earnestly: pleading to God for the purifying and washing that only he can accomplish. Perhaps pray one Psalm per hour until we meet again at 3pm at the hour of mercy.
Today also begins The Divine Mercy Novena, which is prayed from Good Friday until Divine Mercy Saturday.
Today is a powerful day for pleading God’s mercy, for ourselves, for all mankind, for priests and religious, for those who reject God, for those who seem to be stuck in cycles of sin, for those who have become lukewarm, for little children and for those who near death, and the souls in purgatory.
Good Friday is the source of all mercy. In union with faithful Israel, with believers through the centuries we cry out: have mercy on us, O God, in your kindness. In your compassion blot out our offense.
The Seven Penitential Psalms can be found here.
Psalm 51
1
For the leader. A psalm of David,
2
when Nathan the prophet came to him after he had gone in to Bathsheba.a
I
3
Have mercy on me, God, in accord with your merciful love;
in your abundant compassion blot out my transgressions.
4
Thoroughly wash away my guilt;
and from my sin cleanse me.
5
For I know my transgressions;
my sin is always before me.b
6
Against you, you alone have I sinned;
I have done what is evil in your eyes
So that you are just in your word,
and without reproach in your judgment.c
7
Behold, I was born in guilt,
in sin my mother conceived me.*d
8
Behold, you desire true sincerity;
and secretly you teach me wisdom.
9
Cleanse me with hyssop,* that I may be pure;
wash me, and I will be whiter than snow.e
10
You will let me hear gladness and joy;
the bones you have crushed will rejoice.
II
11
Turn away your face from my sins;
blot out all my iniquities.
12
A clean heart create for me, God;
renew within me a steadfast spirit.f
13
Do not drive me from before your face,
nor take from me your holy spirit.g
14
Restore to me the gladness of your salvation;
uphold me with a willing spirit.
15
I will teach the wicked your ways,
that sinners may return to you.
16
Rescue me from violent bloodshed, God, my saving God,
and my tongue will sing joyfully of your justice.h
17
Lord, you will open my lips;
and my mouth will proclaim your praise.
18
For you do not desire sacrifice* or I would give it;
a burnt offering you would not accept.i
19
My sacrifice, O God, is a contrite spirit;
a contrite, humbled heart, O God, you will not scorn.
III
20
*Treat Zion kindly according to your good will;
build up the walls of Jerusalem.j
21
Then you will desire the sacrifices of the just,
burnt offering and whole offerings;
then they will offer up young bulls on your altar.
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