At the End of the Day . . .

At the end of the day, Psalm 51 is a prayer that can be sung or just listened to before retiring and closing one's eyes, to ask for mercy and the forgiveness of God for our sins and failures.

"Have mercy on me, O God, according to Thy great mercy."

"Miserere Mei, Deus," composed by Gregorio Allegri, expresses the intense yearning for God's forgiveness, sincere sorrow for one's transgressions while at the same time the trust in His mercy and the plea to make his heart clean.

The poignant and haunting tone of the free Gregorian chant-like composition lends itself to making this psalm one's own prayer especially at the end of the day when one is left to a one-on-one encounter with the Lord Who intensely loves and easily forgives a contrite beloved sinner.

I think that getting intentionally caught up with the plaints of the "Miserere" makes us at peace with the One Who put us here to eventually dwell with Him.

And whether or not we wake up in the morning for another day, the "Miserere" will be a fitting "good night" that will bring us to the light of the morning, wherever God decides that we meet Him again!#

'Miserere Mei, Deus' by Gregorio Allegri (Psalm 51)

Have mercy on me, O God, according to Thy great mercy.

According unto the multitude of Thy tender mercies remove my transgressions.

Wash me thoroughly from my iniquities, and cleanse me from my sin.

I knowingly confess my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.

Against Thee only have I sinned, and done evil before Thee: that they may be justified in Thy sayings, and might they overcome when I am judged.

But behold, I was formed in iniquity: and in sin did my mother conceive me.

Behold, Thou desirest truth in my innermost being: and shalt make me to understand wisdom secretly.

Thou shalt sprinkle me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, make me whiter than snow.

Open my ears and make me hear of joy and gladness: and my bones that have been humbled shall rejoice.

Turn away Thy face from my sins: and remember not all my misdeeds.

Create in me a clean heart, O God: and make anew a righteous spirit within my body.

Do not cast me away from Thy presence: and take not Thy holy spirit from me.

Restore unto me the joy of your salvation, and uphold me with a willing spirit.

I will teach those that are unjust Thy ways: and sinners shall be converted unto Thee.

Deliver me from blood, O God, the God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing of Thy righteousness.

O Lord, open my lips: and my mouth shall spring forth Thy praise.

For Thou desirest no sacrifice, where others would: with burnt offerings Thou wilt not be delighted.

Sacrifices of God are broken spirits: dejected and contrite hearts, O God, Thou wilt not despise.

Deal favorably, O Lord, in Thy good pleasure unto Zion: build Thou the walls of Jerusalem.

Then shalt Thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with small and large burnt offerings: then shall they lay calves upon your altar.