# Psalm 51 – The Miserere
*2008-12-15*

> Bill Young reflects on Psalm 51, the Miserere, offering a prayer of repentance and linking it to the Advent season, followed by the traditional Our Father and Hail Mary.

## A Prayer from Psalm 51

Good afternoon, this is Bill Young. In Advent it is fitting to pause and consider our sins, remembering that Christ came to save us. I found a short prayer in my "Pray, Pray, Pray" book based on Psalm 51, the Miserere, and I’d like to share it.

"Have mercy on me, O God, in your faithful love. In your great tenderness, wipe away my offenses. Wash me clean from my guilt, purify me from my sin. I am well aware of my offenses; my sin is ever before me. Against you and you alone have I sinned, and done what you deem wrong. May your saving justice be shown when you pass sentence, and may your victory appear when you give judgment. Remember, I was born guilty, a sinner from the moment of conception, yet you, in your delight and sincerity, teach me wisdom and purify me with your [unclear] until I am clean. Wash me until I am whiter than snow. Let me hear the sound of joy and gladness, and the bones that were crushed will dance. Turn away your face from my sin and wipe away all my guilt. Create in me a clean heart, renew within me a steadfast spirit, and do not cast me away from your presence. Give me back the joy of your salvation, sustain me in a generous spirit, that I may teach the wicked path and lead sinners back to you. Deliver me from bloodshed, O God, my salvation. May my tongue proclaim your saving justice. Lord, open my lips, that my mouth may speak your praise."

The prayer concludes with a reflection on true sacrifice:

"Sacrifice that pleases you is not a burnt offering, but a broken spirit, a contrite heart that you never despise. Rebuild the walls of your Jerusalem, and you will delight in upright sacrifices, burnt offerings, and holy obligations."

## Traditional Prayers

We then turn to the prayers that unite the Church:

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread, and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

## Closing Reflection

Psalm 51 reminds us that true repentance is a heartfelt turning toward God, not merely external rites. In this Advent season, let us allow God’s mercy to wash us clean, so that our lives may become a living sacrifice pleasing to Him.

*Repentance opens the heart to God’s mercy, allowing us to become the true sacrifice He desires.*