There is sin in you, when you take pleasure; there reigns, if
you shall have consented. Carnal pleasure, especially if proceeding unto
unlawful and strange objects, is to be bridled, not let loose: by government to
be tamed, not to be set up for government. Look and be without care, if you
have nothing whereby you may be moved. But you make answer, "I contain
with strong resolution." Are you any wise stronger than David? - Augustine of Hippo, Exposition on Psalm 51 (full text available here)
Augustine, considered one of the best theologians of the Western Church during the early 5th century, has quite a lot to say about the idea of sin. What he is talking about in the snippet above is containment: that is, the necessity of keeping our more base instincts in check. Even King David didn't manage it. He had his own loyal soldier, Uriah, killed so he could have Uriah's wife Bathsheba for his own. It is only when the prophet Nathan points it out to him that he recognizes what he's done is evil in the sight of the Lord. (See 2 Samuel 12.) Psalm 51 is usually interpreted as David's begging YHWH to forgive him for this dastardly deed. I am told the Hebrew makes it clear that the inclinations for both sin and truth are contained in the same innermost part of our being, and that David is so desperate for God to forgive him that he's willing to reciprocate. Notably, YHWH doesn't respond to him.
Has that ever happened to you? That is, when you've looked into the mirror, hard, acknowledged that you're somehow at fault, and heard nothing but the deafening sound of silence?
Silence is not easy, by any means. We want answers. We want God to pat us on the head, give us a cookie, and tell us it'll be OK, even when we aren't sure that is what we deserve. Fortunately, or not, it doesn't work that way. After asking God to save him from his blood guilt, David notes, "True sacrifice to God is a contrite spirit; God, You will not despise a contrite and crushed heart" (Psalm 51:19, JPS).
Taking that to heart requires trust on our part - trust that God is indeed listening, and that our willingness to say those words, "Forgive me, for I have sinned," is enough to get, and keep, God's attention.
You can listen to Josquin's setting of Psalm 51 (written ca. 1500) below. It's long, but well worth the time.
- Amy Spagna+
Augustine, considered one of the best theologians of the Western Church during the early 5th century, has quite a lot to say about the idea of sin. What he is talking about in the snippet above is containment: that is, the necessity of keeping our more base instincts in check. Even King David didn't manage it. He had his own loyal soldier, Uriah, killed so he could have Uriah's wife Bathsheba for his own. It is only when the prophet Nathan points it out to him that he recognizes what he's done is evil in the sight of the Lord. (See 2 Samuel 12.) Psalm 51 is usually interpreted as David's begging YHWH to forgive him for this dastardly deed. I am told the Hebrew makes it clear that the inclinations for both sin and truth are contained in the same innermost part of our being, and that David is so desperate for God to forgive him that he's willing to reciprocate. Notably, YHWH doesn't respond to him.
Has that ever happened to you? That is, when you've looked into the mirror, hard, acknowledged that you're somehow at fault, and heard nothing but the deafening sound of silence?
Silence is not easy, by any means. We want answers. We want God to pat us on the head, give us a cookie, and tell us it'll be OK, even when we aren't sure that is what we deserve. Fortunately, or not, it doesn't work that way. After asking God to save him from his blood guilt, David notes, "True sacrifice to God is a contrite spirit; God, You will not despise a contrite and crushed heart" (Psalm 51:19, JPS).
Taking that to heart requires trust on our part - trust that God is indeed listening, and that our willingness to say those words, "Forgive me, for I have sinned," is enough to get, and keep, God's attention.
You can listen to Josquin's setting of Psalm 51 (written ca. 1500) below. It's long, but well worth the time.
- Amy Spagna+
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