Psalms of the Season–Psalm 51

Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.

Psalm 51:10–12

The traditional Psalm for Ash Wednesday is David’s powerful and profound Psalm 51. It’s not a pretty psalm; nothing like David’s Psalm 23, yet it bears and bares the heart and soul of a sinner/saint who has drunk deeply from the well of God’s mercy and grace. On this Ash Wednesday, with King David, stand, sit, or kneel before the throne of God who alone can restore to you the joy of his salvation. Meditate below on two modern arrangements of Psalm 51. The first by Sons of Korah is a more literal verse by verse take on the entire Psalm. The second by Shane & Shane focuses more specifically on the concept of “wisdom in the secret heart.”

Featured Image: John Bergmeier

This piece is a monotype mixed media work with screen printing on paper and cloth. John tells us about this striking piece.

Inspired by the words of the Psalmist, with an air of musical melody…I sought to combine personal imagery – reflecting on my own sinfulness but also asking to be able to hear joy and gladness once again (forgiveness of my sins) – with the application of colors and materials that contrast yet compliment. The image of the heart is in part connected with my recent physical health, but also the past health issues of my father…along with the typical and traditional ideas of the heart being associated with love and affection. Seemingly detached here visually, the heart is the focus of the request to be made pure once again.

John Bergmeier

Psalm 51–Sons of Korah

Lyrics:

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Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your unfailing love;
according to your great compassion
blot out my transgressions
2 Wash away all my iniquity
and cleanse me from all my sin.
3 For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is always before me.
4 Against you only have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you are proved right when you speak
and justified when you judge.
5 Surely I was sinful at birth;
Surely I was sinful at birth.

6 Surely you desire truth in the inward parts;
And you teach me wisdom,
wisdom in the innermost place.
7 With hyssop make me clean,
wash me whiter than snow.
8 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.

10 Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and renew a right spirit within me.

11 Cast me not away from your presence, O LORD
and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore unto me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.

13 Then I will teach transgressors you ways
and sinners will turn back to you.
14 Save me from the guilt upon me,
LORD who saves me,
and my tongue will sing of your righteousness
O LORD the God who saves me.
15 Open up my lips,
and I will declare your praise.

16 You do not delight in sacrifices,
or surely I would bring it;
you do not take pleasure in offerings, O LORD
17 but the sacrifices of God are a
broken spirit and a contrite heart.
The LORD will never despise a broken spirit
and a contrite heart.18 In your good pleasure make Zion prosper;
build up the walls of Jerusalem.
19 Then there will be righteous sacrifices,
whole burnt offerings to delight you;
then bulls will be offered on your altar.

Psalm 51–Shane & Shane

Lyrics:

Behold I was brought forth in iniquity
and in sin and my mother conceived me
Behold you delight in the truth and the inward me
and you teach me, wisdom in the secret heart

Our sins not far but right in front of me
against you and you alone God I am guilty
Wash me thoroughly cleanse me from iniquity
and teach me, wisdom in the secret heart

Create in me a clean heart, oh God
Renew a right spirit within me, oh God
Cast me not away from Your presence
take not Your Holy Spirit
restore in me the joy of Your salvation
and teach me, wisdom in the secret heart

Send me the chief of sinners to proclaim
come be forgiven the sin of the lamb of God was slain
Open my lips and my mouth will declare your endless praise
and teach me, wisdom in the secret heart

Create in me a clean heart, oh God
Renew a right spirit within me, oh God
Cast me not away from Your presence
take not Your Holy Spirit
restore in me the joy of Your salvation
and teach me, wisdom in the secret heart
wisdom in the secret heart

The Lord is gracious
and slow to anger
Rich in love, He is good to all
good to all

Create in me a clean heart, oh God
Renew a right spirit within me, oh God
Cast me not away from Your presence
take not Your Holy Spirit
restore in me the joy of Your salvation
and teach me, wisdom in the secret heart
wisdom in the secret heart

Psalm 51 (Wisdom in the Secret Heart) Shane & Shane Psalms, Vol. 2 ℗ 2015 Well House Records