“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
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Song Story: Psalm 51
I have been going through a time of repentance. God has been working on my heart to repent of sin and reconnect with Christ. Part of being a Christian is being honest and vulnerable about your sin struggles with yourself and with other believers. Speaking for myself, I have a strong temptation to hide my sin and fear what people will think of me when I tell them I struggle with sins such as pride, lust, unbelief and laziness. However, God has taught me over the years to be open and honest about my struggles with those I trust. Of course, we are to exercise prudence and wisdom in how much we share and who we share our struggles with. Furthermore, after living out my faith and walking in continual repentance, I have learned to be like David in Psalm 51-honest about my struggles and desperate for God’s grace.
Create In Me a Clean Heart
In my recent struggle with being single and fighting for a pure heart, I found myself planted in Psalm 51. My sin was “ever before me” and guilt suffocated me (v. 3). Can you relate? For King David, long before the time of Jesus, these words poured from his “broken and contrite” heart (v. 17). This means his heart was broken, crushed to pieces over his sin. He was in a state of mourning over committing adultery with Bathsheba and murdering her husband. After being confronted by the prophet Nathan, the king was completely broken by guilt and led to repentance of his sin before God (2 Sam. 12:1-14). His words are so piercing, powerful and prevalent to me in my sin struggle. As i meditated on the passage I found myself inspired to put it into song, using the very words David penned and the Holy Spirit inspired.
Reflection: What sins are weighing you down and stealing your joy? Run to Christ, who alone mends and restores our shattered hearts. Amen.
Psalm 51
Chorus
Create in me a clean heart
Renew a right spirit in me
Cast me not away, Oh Lord
Restore Your joy
Whoa, Whoa, Restore Your joy
Verse 1
Lord have mercy on my soul
According to love
Wash away my sin and shame
Clothe my heart with grace
Verse 2
Against You alone, I’ve sinned
Evil in Your sight
My sin ever before me
You are justified
Bridge
My sacrifice to you God
A broken spirit, a heart contrite
I lay it down at the altar
To forgive is Your delight
*Copyright 2016 by Steve Sering, produced by Chris Paugh
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