During Holy Week, our daily psalm comes from the Revised Common Lectionary, with the exception of Easter Sunday. The daily devotional on Easter is Psalm 150 – the last psalm in our Bible – which functions as a benediction. Let this last week be another chance for reflection of all you have read and experienced during Lent.
Questions
1. These psalms come from the Revised Common Lectionary. This is a calendar of scripture for Sundays and special days in the liturgical year. Many denominations use this resource. Think of all the other believers who are reading and praying the same psalm. Pray that the spirit connects you to this great cloud of witnesses.
2. How do this week’s psalms pair with the narrative of Jesus’ final days on earth? Look for similar language and imagery between the psalm and the Gospels’ story.
3. Try to identify the type of psalm that the lectionary has selected.
4. Each day, reflect on something you have learned during Lent. How has your faith, knowledge of God, or person been transformed from reading the psalms or observing the season of Lent?
Have mercy on me, O God,
according to your steadfast love;
according to your abundant mercy
blot out my transgressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity,
and cleanse me from my sin.
For I know my transgressions,
and my sin is ever before me.
Against you, you alone, have I sinned,
and done what is evil in your sight,
so that you are justified in your sentence
and blameless when you pass judgment.
Indeed, I was born guilty,
a sinner when my mother conceived me.
You desire truth in the inward being;
therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart.
Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
Let me hear joy and gladness;
let the bones that you have crushed rejoice.
Hide your face from my sins,
and blot out all my iniquities.