“Let the Bones You Have Crushed Rejoice” (Ash Wednesday)

Psalm 51:1-17, {1} Have mercy on me, O God, according to your unfailing love; according to your great compassion blot out my transgressions. {2} Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. {3} For I know my transgressions, and my sin is always before me. {4} Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil in your sight; so you are right in your verdict and justified when you judge. {5} Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother conceived me. {6} Yet you desired faithfulness even in the womb; you taught me wisdom in that secret place. {7} Cleanse me with hyssop, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. {8} Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice. {9} Hide your face from my sins and blot out all my iniquity. {10} Create in me a pure heart, O God and renew a steadfast spirit within me. {11} Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. {12} Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me. {13} Then I will teach transgressors your ways, so that sinners will turn back to you. {14} Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God, you who are God my Savior, and my tongue will sing of your righteousness. {15} Open my lips, Lord, and my mouth will declare your praise. {16} You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings. {17} My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.