Psalm 51:1-18: Sacrifice

During Lent people often talk about the things they've given up as a sacrifice.  That offering can seem like a burden.  Sometimes that's good, sometimes that's not.  It's good when we part with something that matters so that we can deepen our faith.  It's not when in doing so, we act as if we're doing God some kind of favor, one that deserves praise and acknowledgment.  The psalmist, along with the prophets and others in Scripture, not to mention Jesus, knew this reality.  They knew that it was all too easy for people to fake sacrifice, to look like they were doing something for God but in reality were doing something to boost their own reputation righteousness.  Here, in verses 17 and 18 and Psalm 51 we are told what God really seeks from us: not an animal on an altar, but real introspection and an honest accounting of our sins. 

"Had you desired it, I would have offered sacrifice, but you take no delight in burnt-offerings.  The sacrifice of God is a troubled spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise."

We are now in Holy Week.  There's no better time for us to offer God a true sacrifice.

1  Have mercy on me, O God, according to your loving-kindness; *
in your great compassion blot out my offenses.
2  Wash me through and through from my wickedness *
and cleanse me from my sin.
3  For I know my transgressions, *
and my sin is ever before me.
4  Against you only have I sinned *
and done what is evil in your sight.
5  And so you are justified when you speak *
and upright in your judgment.
6  Indeed, I have been wicked from my birth, *
a sinner from my mother’s womb.
7  For behold, you look for truth deep within me, *
and will make me understand wisdom secretly.
8  Purge me from my sin, and I shall be pure; *
wash me, and I shall be clean indeed.
9  Make me hear of joy and gladness, *
that the body you have broken may rejoice.
10  Hide your face from my sins *
and blot out all my iniquities.
11  Create in me a clean heart, O God, *
and renew a right spirit within me.
12  Cast me not away from your presence *
and take not your holy Spirit from me.
13  Give me the joy of your saving help again *
and sustain me with your bountiful Spirit.
14  I shall teach your ways to the wicked, *
and sinners shall return to you.
15  Deliver me from death, O God, *
and my tongue shall sing of your righteousness,
O God of my salvation.
16  Open my lips, O Lord, *
and my mouth shall proclaim your praise.
17  Had you desired it, I would have offered sacrifice, *
but you take no delight in burnt-offerings.
18  The sacrifice of God is a troubled spirit; *
a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.