ash wednesday

"Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your unfailing love; 

according to Your great compassion blot out my transgressions. 

Wash away all my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.

For I know my transgressions and my sin is always before me.

Against You, You only, have I sinned and done what is evil in 

Your sight, so that You are proved right when You speak 

and justified when You judge.

Surely I was sinful at birth, sinful from the time my mother 

conceived me. Surely You desire truth in the inner parts; 

You teach me wisdom in the inmost place.

Cleanse me with hyssop and I will be clean; wash me and I 

will be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; 

let the bones You have crushed rejoice. Hide Your face from 

my sins and blot out all my iniquity.

Create in me a pure heart, O God, 

and renew a steadfast spirit within me.

Do not cast me from Your presence 

or take You Holy Spirit from me.

Restore to me the joy of Your salvation 

and grant me a willing spirit to sustain me.

Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners will 

turn back to You. Save me from bloodguilt, O God, the God 

who saves me, and my tongue will sing of Your righteousness. 

O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise.

You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it;

You do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.

The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit;

a broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise."

~Psalms 51 (NIV)