(Paraphrase)
September 11, 2025
When I was in seminary, we were taught to dig into a text not only for its meaning in its time but also for its meaning and importance in our own day. What does a particular text have to say to our congregation on a given Sunday?
One way we were taught to do this was by paraphrasing the passage. Putting it in our own words. When we did so, it helped us understand how the text was still speaking to us.
This month, I have paraphrased four different psalms, one for each Thursday. These are paraphrases more than exact translations. They are closer to an impressionist painting than a polaroid picture. I encourage you to read the original text and then my paraphrase. Where do you think I got it right? Where have I strayed from the usual meaning of the text?
Then, I invite you paraphrase the psalm yourself. How close do you think you got to the original intention of the psalmist? How much did you have to change it before it spoke to your heart?
Today’s psalm is probably the most famous of the penitential psalms. How would you paraphrase some of its more controversial passages?
Dear God of unsurmountable love, have mercy on me; wipe up my wrongs with cleansing compassion. Wash the stains from my life, rinse away my evils. I know what I’ve done is wrong. I can never escape from my ugly choices.
Against you, first and foremost, I have sinned. Whenever I have sinned against another, or even myself, I have also sinned against you and thereby done what is hideous in your sight.
I know I am sinful. I have been sinful since my earliest moments. But even then you wanted what was best for me and so you taught me how to please you.
Scrub me down and I will be clean; wash me and I will be 100% pure. Surround me with happy sounds; may the feebleness you gave me be replaced with strength. Turn your back on all my sins, and wipe away all my faults and shortcomings.
Give me pure intentions, O God, and once again help me live up to them.
Please do not send me away, do not expel your Spirit from me. Once again, let me experience the rapture of being in a right relationship with you and make me determined to follow you. If you do, I will once again be able to show the wayward your ways and sinners will turn back to you. Keep me from hurting others and I will sing of your righteousness. Put your Spirit in my mouth and I will shout your praise.
If I thought you enjoyed sacrifices I would bring them to you; but it’s not elaborate prayers, false austerity or significant contributions you’re looking for. What you want is a humble spirit; a sincere and repenting heart you will never despise.
If it please you, help your servants to be productive. Protect your people on every side. Then we will genuinely be able to honor you; we will make the kinds of sacrifices you most desire.
