The Blessedness of Forgiveness

32¹ Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight! ² Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of guilt, whose lives are lived in complete honesty! ³ When I refused to confess my sin, my body wasted away, and I groaned all day long. ⁴ Day and night your hand of discipline was heavy on me. My strength evaporated like water in the summer heat. Interlude ⁵ Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, "I will confess my rebellion to the Lord ." And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone. Interlude ⁶ Therefore, let all the godly pray to you while there is still time, that they may not drown in the floodwaters of judgment.

⁷ For you are my hiding place; you protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of victory. Interlude ⁸ The Lord says, "I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you. ⁹ Do not be like a senseless horse or mule that needs a bit and bridle to keep it under control." ¹⁰ Many sorrows come to the wicked, but unfailing love surrounds those who trust the Lord . ¹¹ So rejoice in the Lord and be glad, all you who obey him! Shout for joy, all you whose hearts are pure!

A Prayer for Cleansing

51¹ Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins. ² Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin. ³ For I recognize my rebellion; it haunts me day and night. ⁴ Against you, and you alone, have I sinned; I have done what is evil in your sight. You will be proved right in what you say, and your judgment against me is just. ⁵ For I was born a sinner- yes, from the moment my mother conceived me. ⁶ But you desire honesty from the womb, teaching me wisdom even there.

⁷ Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. ⁸ Oh, give me back my joy again; you have broken me- now let me rejoice. ⁹ Don't keep looking at my sins. Remove the stain of my guilt. ¹⁰ Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. ¹¹ Do not banish me from your presence, and don't take your Holy Spirit from me. ¹² Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. ¹³ Then I will teach your ways to rebels, and they will return to you.

¹⁴ Forgive me for shedding blood, O God who saves; then I will joyfully sing of your forgiveness. ¹⁵ Unseal my lips, O Lord, that my mouth may praise you. ¹⁶ You do not desire a sacrifice, or I would offer one. You do not want a burnt offering. ¹⁷ The sacrifice you desire is a broken spirit. You will not reject a broken and repentant heart, O God. ¹⁸ Look with favor on Zion and help her; rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. ¹⁹ Then you will be pleased with sacrifices offered in the right spirit- with burnt offerings and whole burnt offerings. Then bulls will again be sacrificed on your altar.

A Prayer for God's Continued Mercy

86¹ Bend down, O Lord, and hear my prayer; answer me, for I need your help. ² Protect me, for I am devoted to you. Save me, for I serve you and trust you. You are my God. ³ Be merciful to me, O Lord, for I am calling on you constantly. ⁴ Give me happiness, O Lord, for I give myself to you. ⁵ O Lord, you are so good, so ready to forgive, so full of unfailing love for all who ask for your help. ⁶ Listen closely to my prayer, O Lord ; hear my urgent cry. ⁷ I will call to you whenever I'm in trouble, and you will answer me.

⁸ No pagan god is like you, O Lord. None can do what you do! ⁹ All the nations you made will come and bow before you, Lord; they will praise your holy name. ¹⁰ For you are great and perform wonderful deeds. You alone are God. ¹¹ Teach me your ways, O Lord, that I may live according to your truth! Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor you. ¹² With all my heart I will praise you, O Lord my God. I will give glory to your name forever, ¹³ for your love for me is very great. You have rescued me from the depths of death. ¹⁴ O God, insolent people rise up against me; a violent gang is trying to kill me. You mean nothing to them. ¹⁵ But you, O Lord, are a God of compassion and mercy, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness. ¹⁶ Look down and have mercy on me. Give your strength to your servant; save me, the son of your servant. ¹⁷ Send me a sign of your favor. Then those who hate me will be put to shame, for you, O Lord, help and comfort me.

A Prayer for the Peace of Jerusalem

122¹ I was glad when they said to me, "Let us go to the house of the Lord ." ² And now here we are, standing inside your gates, O Jerusalem. ³ Jerusalem is a well-built city; its seamless walls cannot be breached. ⁴ All the tribes of Israel-the Lord 's people- make their pilgrimage here. They come to give thanks to the name of the Lord, as the law requires of Israel. ⁵ Here stand the thrones where judgment is given, the thrones of the dynasty of David.

⁶ Pray for peace in Jerusalem. May all who love this city prosper. ⁷ O Jerusalem, may there be peace within your walls and prosperity in your palaces. ⁸ For the sake of my family and friends, I will say, "May you have peace." ⁹ For the sake of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek what is best for you, O Jerusalem.