Have mercy on me, God, in your goodness
in your abundant compassion
blot out my offense.
Wash away all my guilt;
from my sin cleanse me.
For I know my offense;
my sin is always before me.
Against you alone have I sinned;
I have done such evil in your sight
That you are just in your sentence,
blameless when you condemn.
True, I was born guilty,
a sinner, even as my mother conceived me.
Still, you insist on sincerity of heart;
in my inmost being teach me wisdom.
Cleanse me with hyssop, that I may be pure;
wash me, make me whiter than snow.
Let me hear sounds of joy and gladness;
let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
Turn away your face from my sins;
blot out all my guilt.
A clean heart create for me, God;
renew in me a steadfast spirit.
Do not drive me from your presence,
nor take from me your holy spirit.
Restore my joy in your salvation;
sustain in me a willing spirit.
I will teach the wicked your ways,
that sinners may return to you.
Rescue me from death, God, my saving God,
that my tongue may praise your healing power.
Lord, open my lips;
my mouth will proclaim your praise.
For you do not desire sacrifice;
a burnt offering you would not accept.
My sacrifice, God, is a broken spirit;
God, do not spurn a broken, humbled heart.
The Sixth Street Bridge
At the tender age of 17, I walked across this bridge, alone, into Downtown Pittsburgh, with $300 in my pocket that my mother had given me to get an abortion. I went into the Fulton Building (in the picture) and did what I was told to do. I didn't have a choice - if I did, I wouldn't have chosen abortion.
Have you heard the version of the Miserere from Peter Phillips and the Tallis Scholars on the album Allegri? It's in Latin. You can buy it on iTunes.
ReplyDeleteGod bless you.
Thank you! No, I haven't but I'm looking it up.
ReplyDeleteIf each of us were able to see ourselves as we are, imperfect and in need of God, we would all be on our own journey back to God, as you seem to be. You just made me realize something important... I just had an epiphany. I have often wondered why the prodigal son was so special in the eyes of his father and celebrated more than his brother. Why would the bible say that the lost sheep is worth more than the brother who stayed by his father. I just figured it out. The reason is because we are all the prodigal son. None of us is truly righteous and all are born to sin and we are all lost sheep, therefore we are all on our way back to God. You are leading the way by reflecting on your own sin and finding your way back. I hope your blessings are many, through the sharing of your story you have bestowed a blessing on me.
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