September 21: Psalm 51; 2 Samuel 11; Ezekiel 11:14–25; Luke 14

Psalms and Wisdom: Psalm 51 Psalm 51 (Listen) Create in Me a Clean Heart, O God To the choirmaster. A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet went to him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba. 51   Have mercy on me,1 O God,<br />    according to your steadfast love;<br />  according to your abundant mercy<br />    blot out my transgressions.<br />2   Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,<br />    and cleanse me from my sin!<br /> 3   For I know my transgressions,<br />    and my sin is ever before me.<br />4   Against you, you only, have I sinned<br />    and done what is evil in your sight,<br />  so that you may be justified in your words<br />    and blameless in your judgment.<br />5   Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity,<br />    and in sin did my mother conceive me.<br />6   Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being,<br />    and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.<br /> 7   Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;<br />    wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.<br />