Psalm 51:1-2 (NIVUK)
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.
Time for a classic, today it’s Love Me Tender:
Love me tender, love me true
All my dreams fulfill
For, my darling, I love you
And I always will
Ok, it’s a bit of a cheesy number, but this song reminds me of God’s tenderness towards us. A key scriptural word for this is the Hebrew חֶסֶד (hesed), often translated as ‘loving kindness’. God shows us loving kindness; he understands our frailty and our tendency to mess up (sinful nature), and responds with care and compassion rather than condemnation and criticism. This is reflected in the Psalmist’s cry in Psalm 51 for mercy inspired by their knowledge of God’s ‘unfailing love’.
Father, thank you for your loving kindness. Forgive me for my mistakes, my misjudgements and wilful sin. In your tenderness, help me to live a better life for you.
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