April 29
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CLEANSE ME FROM MY SIN
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love;
According to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin!
3 For I know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me.
4 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.
5 Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.
6 Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being,
And you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.
7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8 Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have broken rejoice.
9 Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities.– Psalm 51:1-9
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Matthew Henry’s concise commentary says that David, being convinced of his sin, poured out his soul to God in prayer for mercy and grace. He drew up, by Divine teaching, an account of the workings of his heart toward God. Those that truly repent of their sins, will not be ashamed to own their repentance. David had not only done much, but suffered much in the cause of God; yet he flees to God’s infinite mercy, and depends upon that alone for pardon and peace. The blood of Christ, sprinkled upon the conscience, blots out the transgression, and, having reconciled us to God, reconciles us to ourselves.
We clearly see David’s deep repentance in this psalm and his acknowledgment of his sinfulness as he was even conceived in his mother’s womb. He also points out how God delights in our desire to delight in his truth. How often do we ask God to cleanse us from sin? Do we really have a repentant heart to admit and confess our transgressions?
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ADORATION: Lord, only your heart is pure. Make my heart like yours.
CONFESSION: I take full responsibility for my sins and please forgive me.
THANKSGIVING: Lamb of God, please cleanse me from all my sins.
SUPPLICATION: May all believers have the desire to admit their sinfulness.
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REFLECTION
• Why is the heart an essential ingredient in the act of being cleansed from sin?