Category Archives: Psalm 51

Renew My Steadfast Spirit

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(My series on Psalm 51 resumes.)

In the 12th verse of Psalm 51, the penitent is granted a new start.

Psalm 51:12: “A clean heart create for me, God; renew in me a steadfast spirit.”

(Via USCCB.)

Sin has sullied and degraded the penitent. It had ruptured the relationship with God. The penitent, after the first half of the Psalm, is now ready to start anew.

But, not content with just picking up and moving on as before, now cleansed of sin. The penitent wants to be strengthened with “a steadfast spirit”, a renewed conviction to lead a virtuous life, holy in the sight of God.

Made clean by God’s grace and perhaps having learned from the experience, the penitent now strives to live according to God’s will.

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

Blot out all my guilt

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The 11th verse of Psalm 51 is a repetition of verse 3.

Psalm 51:11: “Turn away your face from my sins; blot out all my guilt.”

(Via USCCB.)

The Lord forgives, and the Lord “forgets.” The slate is clean, it is “as if” the sin never happened.

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

Sounds of glad rejoicing

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Verse 10 of Psalm 51 recalls a happy and healthy benefit to forgiveness:

Psalm 51:10: “Let me hear sounds of joy and gladness; let the bones you have crushed rejoice.”

(Via USCCB.)

When God forgives, you are restored to your inheritance. You who were lost, are now found once again, and you can claim your rightful place as one of His children, eligible to enter into His home once He calls you to it.

Luke 15:21-24: “His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you; I no longer deserve to be called your son.’

But his father ordered his servants, ‘Quickly bring the finest robe and put it on him; put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Take the fattened calf and slaughter it. Then let us celebrate with a feast, because this son of mine was dead, and has come to life again; he was lost, and has been found.’ Then the celebration began.”

You were crushed by your sin. You have repented and petitioned Him for forgiveness,and He has answered. You rejoice, as with the Saints in Heaven.

Luke 15:7: “I tell you, in just the same way there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous people who have no need of repentance.”

All Scripture quotes courtesy of:

(Via USCCB.)

Go to Confession, soon.

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

Cleanse me that I may be pure

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In the 9th verse of Psalm 51 the penitent asks for a total cleansing:

Psalm 51:9: “Cleanse me with hyssop, that I may be pure; wash me, make me whiter than snow.”

(Via USCCB.)

The penitent asks for a restoration of their purity. In a way, a “recovery” of what they were before their sin disfigured their soul.

This is what we should be seeking when we are involved in our recovery from addiction. Alcoholism and addiction seriously distorts our true selves, it disrupts the “normal” path of life that we should have been on. Recovery seeks to restore what was lost. (This is for most people. For some, like me, recovery has been more than just “recovering” a normal life, it has been part of a call to spread the Gospel, although in not very traditional methods.)

We are children of God and as such our lives and souls should be a reflection of that. Although it is extremely hard to accomplish that in today’s world, purity can be achievable by heroic efforts. With God’s help, it can be done.

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

Teach me wisdom

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In 12 Step groups you hear the acronym “HOW”, which stands for “Honesty, Open-mindedness and Willingness”. The 8th verse of Psalm 51 covers this:

Psalm 51:8: “Still, you insist on sincerity of heart; in my inmost being teach me wisdom.”

(Via USCCB.)

Sincerity clears away the self-deception and lies that pervade our thinking. In our alcoholic and addictive fog we do not always have a clear-headed view of ourselves and others. We are still very much broken and wounded people, perhaps healing slowly or quickly, but our addiction still affects us.

The psalmist recognizes that God “insists on sincerity of heart”, meaning (to me) sincerity of belief, without “human” thinking to mess it up; raw, pure conviction. This opens the doorway for God’s wisdom to be taught to the petitioner, in their “inmost being”. Directly into their heart, mind and soul.

God’s truth illuminates your soul. You gain wisdom, the best thing one can ask of God.

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

I was born guilty

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The Notes in the NAB version of this Bible state that this verse…:

Psalm 51:7: “True, I was born guilty, a sinner, even as my mother conceived me.”

(Via USCCB.)

…means that in no time was the penitent without sin. This, I think, refers to the Original Sin of Adam and Eve. A sin that we inherited as their descendants, from when they turned away from God at the temptation by Satan under the pretext that they can “be like God” and discern good from evil under the guidance of their own conscience.

What guides and form your conscience? Is it God, through the ministry and teachings of the Catholic Church? Or do you “keep your own conscience” and decide “for yourself” what is moral and right, perhaps depending upon the circumstances? This pretext is a false one, as everyone’s conscience is formed by something. Some people are just honest and humble and readily admit as to what guides their conscience. Others are delusional and feel (rather that think) that they are in control of their moral decision-making.

So, who or what does your thinking for you?

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

I have done such evil in your sight

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Psalm 51:6: “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.”

(Via USCCB.)

So begins verse 6 of the Miserere.

Sin harms and ruptures one’s relationship with God. If it is a mortal sin, it kills it. The sin may involve others, but the thing to remember is the importance of repairing the relationship with God. The penitent’s admission of guilt and recognition of it before God initiates the process of repair. In reconciliation, you recognize God’s perfect justice.

If one’s conscience is well formed and you engage in contemplative introspection, you see the root causes of your sinning. As such, you know yourself better. You see why you sin and work towards amending your life. As God brings good out of evil, this knowledge strengthens you and your spiritual progress.

How is your relationship with God? Does it need amends?

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

I know my offense

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If in verse 4 of Psalm 51 the penitent recognizes their responsibility, verse 5 is an outright declaration of it:

Psalm 51:5: “For I know my offense; my sin is always before me.”

(Via USCCB.)

The penitent fully admits and recognizes their sin. The penitent does not and cannot hide from it. No excuses, a straightforward and humble admission that the sin is theirs. Not only that it is theirs, but its commission is troubling to the conscience, “Is always before me.” And until there is reconciliation with God by asking forgiveness, the sin will be a hindrance to further progress in spiritual growth and holiness. No getting closer to God with this on the conscience.

How great is our desire for holiness. That is,how great is our desire to live as God wants us to live? How ready and willing are we to remove the obstacles that are in our path of getting closer to He who created us?

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

Cleanse me

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The fourth verse of Psalm 51 continues from verse 3 the penitent’s petition for a clean slate:

Psalm 51:4: “Wash away all my guilt; from my sin cleanse me.”

(Via USCCB.)

It is a recognition on the part of the penitent that the sinful offense has dirtied and sullied the soul. We are made in the image and likeness of God, our soul is a reflection of that image. Only God can forgive sins and therefore only He can wash our souls clean of our offense.

The penitent clearly states their sole responsibility in the sin. Even though someone else may have been involved, the sinner says “my guilt”, “my sin”. No blame is placed upon another. The sinner bears responsibility for their wrongdoing. We alcoholics and addicts are known for shirking responsibility. It is “people, places and things”, or our weakness, our disease, or some other such matter. Although there are mitigating circumstances that can lead us into our addictive behavior, in the end we committed the sin. At what point do we stop making excuses and just say that, “Yeah, these factors came in to play in my demise. But I could have said ‘no.’ I could have reached out for help that is their, even if it is a plaintive prayer into the darkness.”

We bear responsibility for recognizing our true nature as sons and daughters of God, and in seeing that since our souls were made to reflect His goodness, we must strive to keep them clean and on the path to holiness. We allow our consciences to be formed and guided by the Gospel.

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)

Have mercy on me

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The first verse of Psalm 51, after the introduction, is a plaintive cry for mercy:

Psalm 51:3: “Have mercy on me, God, in your goodness; in your abundant compassion blot out my offense.”

(Via USCCB.)

The repentant sinner in uttering this cry asking for nothing less than a clean slate. The penitent knows that mercy springs forth from God’s inherent and eternal goodness. Furthermore, God’s compassion for the sinner puts and end to the offense, it is as if it never happened.

God is incapable, as a human understands it, of harboring resentment. The seemingly never-ending rehashing of a grudge or psychological wound is an imperfection of our human nature.

Verse 3 of this Psalm is therefore a confident understanding by the penitent that God will blot out the offense, and start over with the sinner.

As alcoholics and addicts, we have plenty to “blot out”. But also much to learn about compassion. Are we as ready to blot out the offenses of others against us? And how long are we capable of taking to do this? And does reconciliation always result?

I have a new book! "The Sober Catholic Way" is a handbook on how anyone can live a sober life, drawn from over 17 years of SoberCatholic posts! It's out now on "Amazon," "Apple Books," "B&N" and and others!"!

My two other books are still available! "The Stations of the Cross for Alcoholics" and "The Recovery Rosary: Reflections for Alcoholics and Addicts" (Thank you!!)