I was praying Psalm 51 today, Lord,
and this verse stayed with me:
Create in me a clean heart, O God…
I was thinking that
my heart isn’t really all that dirty, Lord,
but then I began to realize
how much my heart is
smudged by my inconsistencies,
blemished by my faults,
soiled by my resentments,
marred by my selfishness,
tarnished by my impatience,
dirtied by my greed,
besmirched by my unfairness,
sullied by my pride,
fouled by my lust,
muddied by my lies,
stained by my bad habits,
smeared with my prejudice,
littered with my wastefulness,
spattered with my carelessness…
Ya know, on second thought –
I guess my heart needs a thorough cleaning
– a spring cleaning,
just in tine for Easter!
Create in me a clean heart, O God…
I need a clean slate
and only your merciful kindness
can wash and make clean
a heart such as mine…
Create in me a clean heart, O God…
cleanse me of my sin,
wash my away guilt
and give me once again
the pure joy of your peace…
Protect me, Lord, while I’m awake
and watch over me while I sleep
that awake I might keep watch with you
and asleep, rest in your peace…
Create in me a
clean heart.
clean heart.
Have mercy on
me, God,
me, God,
in your
compassion.
compassion.
Remove my
sin.
sin.
Wash me from
my guilt.
my guilt.
Create in me a
clean heart.
clean heart.
O purify my heart and
teach me wisdom;
then I shall be
cleaner than the snow.
Create in my a clean heart.
O give me back the joy
of your salvation;
a willing spirit
sustain in me.
Create in me a clean heart.
