[NYer]

Throughout Lent, the Maronite Divine Office includes the following portions of Psalm i51 in the evening prayers. We even have a hymn 'Create in Me A Clean Heart', based on this psalm.

Psalms
Chapter 51

3

Have mercy on me, God, in your goodness; in your abundant compassion blot out my offense.

4

Wash away all my guilt; from my sin cleanse me.

5

For I know my offense; my sin is always before me.

6

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.

7

² True, I was born guilty, a sinner, even as my mother conceived me.

8

Still, you insist on sincerity of heart; in my inmost being teach me wisdom.

9

³ Cleanse me with hyssop, that I may be pure; wash me, make me whiter than snow.

10

Let me hear sounds of joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice.

11

Turn away your face from my sins; blot out all my guilt.

12

A clean heart create for me, God; renew in me a steadfast spirit.

13

Do not drive me from your presence, nor take from me your holy spirit.

14

Restore my joy in your salvation; sustain in me a willing spirit.

15

I will teach the wicked your ways, that sinners may return to you.

16

Rescue me from death, God, my saving God, that my tongue may praise your healing power.

17

Lord, open my lips; my mouth will proclaim your praise.

18

⁴ For you do not desire sacrifice; a burnt offering you would not accept.

19

My sacrifice, God, is a broken spirit; God, do not spurn a broken, humbled heart.

[NYer]

Our parish Penance Service is scheduled for Tuesday evening. This is the opening hymn.

I yearn for your pardon, O Lord,
Give me tears to repent in this Season of Lent. 
Lord have mercy. 

I beg for your favors, O Lord,
For your mercy I thirst, for your kindness and love.
Lord have mercy. 

Against you, O Lord, I have sinned, 
Hear the cry of my voice, turn your ear to my prayer.
Lord forgive me. 

O wash me O Lord from my guilt,
Purify me and I shall be whiter than snow. 
Lord forgive me. 

[HangnJudge]

TULIP - from our Calvinist friends

Total Depravity (also known as Total Inability and Original Sin)
Unconditional Election
Limited Atonement (also known as Particular Atonement)
Irresistible Grace
Perseverance of the Saints (also known as Once Saved Always Saved)

Total Depravity: Sin has affected all parts of man. The heart, emotions, will, mind, and body are all affected by sin. We are completely sinful. We are not as sinful as we could be, but we are completely affected by sin. The doctrine of Total Depravity is derived from scriptures that reveal human character: Man’s heart is evil (Mark 7:21-23) and sick (Jer. 17:9). Man is a slave of sin (Rom. 6:20). He does not seek for God (Rom. 3:10-12). He cannot understand spiritual things (1 Cor. 2:14). He is at enmity with God (Eph. 2:15). And, is by nature a child of wrath (Eph. 2:3). The Calvinist asks the question, "In light of the scriptures that declare man’s true nature as being utterly lost and incapable, how is it possible for anyone to choose or desire God?" The answer is, "He cannot. Therefore God must predestine." Calvinism also maintains that because of our s fallen nature we are born again not by our own will but God’s will (John 1:12-13); God grants that we believe (Phil. 1:29); faith is the work of God (John 6:28-29); God appoints people to believe (Acts 13:48); and God predestines (Eph. 1:1-11; Rom. 8:29; 9:9-23).

[AnAmericanMother]

An excellent setting of Psalm 51, sung by the Salisbury Cathedral choir during the Ash Wednesday service -- Miserere Mei

And, just because it's so beautiful, the Faure' Pie Jesu, by the Kings College choir . . . Pie Jesu/Agnus Dei

[mgist]

Thank you for that most beautiful Psalm. I would guess that was King David, I needed that.