So many verses within the Bible speak of God’s great mercy. Many Psalms are some of my favorite verses of Mercy.
What sings out the Sacrament of Mercy (Reconciliation) more then “Create in me a clean heart, O God. Isn’t this exactly what we call out in this great Sacrament? And, isn’t this God’s answer every time? The Father made His salvation known to us in His Son Jesus Christ. Jesus made this salvation clear to all the peoples of every nation. On the cross, Jesus remembers God’s faithful kindness and love as He called out “Father forgive them.”
I’ve read that David wrote Psalm 51 shortly after and with his fall with Bathsheba in mind. David, the man after God’s own heart, murdered, lied and committed adultery. How far he fell. But, God’s great mercy is greater than any (and all) sin. So, from this state of total sinfulness, David could cry out to the Father, “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love: according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.”
“The LORD has made his salvation known: in the sight of the nations he has revealed his justice. He has remembered his kindness and his faithfulness” Psalm 98:2-3
“Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love: according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.” Psalm 51:1-2
“Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from your presence,
and do not take your holy spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain in me a willing spirit.” Psalm 51:10-12
We too should cry out to God and remember His steadfast love, mercy and faithfulness. For while we may have strayed faithlessly down the pathways of dark sin, God has always been faithful and ready to create a new heart within us by His great Divine Mercy. God the Father will always grant His forgiveness and Divine Mercy, always, we just have to sing out the psalm of our heart, “Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love: according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.”