Scripture reading: Psalm 51

Pollution Solution

A Poetic Paraphrase of Psalm 51

 

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins

and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” (I John 1:9)

 

In the mirror of your grace I gaze upon my guilty face;

My sin, my sin! Oh, such regret; The stench, the pain is with me yet.

Is there hope for one like me? Can my heart from sin be free?

 

My memory, it haunts me still; The things I did . . . it makes me ill.

And oh the dear ones that I hurt When I wallowed in the dirt

And by my sin I caused them grief.

Lord, will I ever know relief?

 

Yet my greatest source of shame Is how I soiled your holy Name.

Oh how this sin-polluted heart Has torn your glory all apart.

I cry to you, Lord, on my knees: Is there no cure for heart disease?

 

I’m so confused, I’m so upset, I’ve tried to fix my heart,

and yet The more I try, the more I work, The more I know I’m just a jerk.

What can be done for one like me?

Lord, don’t you have a remedy?

 

The Great Commandment is an art, To love the Lord with all my heart.

If this is what you most demand,

Then help me Lord to understand That by an inner transformation

You can make a new creation.

 

I need your help to run this race So give me sanctifying grace.

Lord, show me your divine solution That cures me from inborn pollution.

The cross and Pentecostal fire Make possible what you desire.

 

 

Rock of Ages, cleft for me, let me hide myself in Thee;

let the water and the blood, from Thy wounded side which flowed,

be of sin the double cure, save from wrath and make me pure.—Augustus Toplady

 

point to ponder • There is power in the blood of Jesus to forgive our sinful actions and to cleanse our sinful hearts.

prayer focus • Someone who’s experienced a moral failure.