A relatively new favorite hymn for me based on Psalm 51, a psalm of King David written after Nathan the prophet confronted David about his sexual sin with Bathsheba and effective murder of her husband.

First, the psalm (ESV)…

Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy
blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
and cleanse me from my sin!

For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is ever before me.
Against you, you only, have I sinned
and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you may be justified in your words
and blameless in your judgment.
Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,
and in sin did my mother conceive me.
Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being,
and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.

Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones that you have broken rejoice.
Hide your face from my sins,
and blot out all my iniquities.
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.

Then I will teach transgressors your ways,
and sinners will return to you.
Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God,
O God of my salvation,
and my tongue will sing aloud of your righteousness.
O Lord, open my lips,
and my mouth will declare your praise.
For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would give it;
you will not be pleased with a burnt offering.
 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;
a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

Do good to Zion in your good pleasure;
build up the walls of Jerusalem;
then will you delight in right sacrifices,
in burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings;
then bulls will be offered on your altar.

Now the richly beautiful hymn…

The traditional words come from the Psalter of 1912.  The modern hymn was put to music in 1997 by Christopher Miner and was made popular by the group Jars of Clay.

I have two favorite lines in the hymn. One is taken from v.4 of Psalm 51 “I confess Thy judgement just; speechless, I Thy mercy trust.”  This is the heart of repentance, recognizing how our sins assault a holy God.  They are odious to him and affront the very nature and character of Him who created us.  Our sins, all of our sins, are ultimately against God himself and he is just and right in meting out punishment.  In our carnal state we can do little else, but stand without a defense.  However, for those who have received Christ, his sacrifice has purchased the mercy we need and that mercy is as trustworthy as the God who provides it.

The second line I love is taken from v.13 of this very public confession.  After being forgiven and restored, David finds hope that “sinners then shall learn from me, and return, O God, to Thee.”  This is the power of humbling ourselves before God and our fellow men, relying on the very nature of God to grant us mercy, and training our tongues to “sing aloud of his righteousness” (v. 14).   This is God doing what he does best, converting all things for our good and his glory.

God be Merciful to Me

1. God, be merciful to me;
On Thy grace I rest my plea
Plenteous in compassion Thou,
Blot out my transgressions now;
Wash me, make me pure within;
Cleanse, O cleanse me from my sin.

2. My transgressions I confess;
Grief and guilt my soul oppress.
I have sinned against Thy grace,
And provoked Thee to Thy face.
I confess Thy judgement just;
Speechless, I Thy mercy trust.

3. I am evil, born in sin;
Thou desirest truth within.
Thou alone my Savior art,
Teach Thy wisdom to my heart;
Make me pure, Thy grace bestow,
Wash me whiter than the snow.

4. Broken, humbled to the dust
By Thy wrath and judgment just,
Let my contrite heart rejoice,
And in gladness hear Thy voice;
From my sins O hide Thy face,
Blot them out in boundless grace.

5. Gracious God, my heart renew,
Make my spirit right and true.
Cast me not away from Thee,
Let Thy Spirit dwell in me;
Thy salvation’s joy impart,
Steadfast make my willing heart.

6. Sinners then shall learn from me,
And return, O God, to Thee
Savior all my guilt remove,
And my tongue shall sing Thy love
Touch my silent lips, O Lord,
And my mouth shall praise accord.