Have you ever wondered how the Seven Penitential Psalms were selected?
According to Church tradition, it was during the seventh century that Psalms 6, 32, 38, 51, 102, 130, and 143 were designated as penitential due to their “spiritual themes of penance and conversion.” Now, over 1,000 years later, these psalms are prayed by the faithful during times of repentance, and are often associated with the Lenten season.
In today’s post, we invite you to read excerpts from the Seven Penitential Psalms as you enter into prayer, penitence, and meditations this Lent.
Psalm 6 – Prayer in Distress (v. 2-5):
“Do not reprove me in your anger, LORD,
nor punish me in your wrath.
Have pity on me, LORD, for I am weak;
heal me, Lord, for my bones are shuddering.
My soul too is shuddering greatly—
and you, LORD, how long…?
Turn back, LORD, rescue my soul;
save me because of your mercy.”
Psalm 32 – Remission of Sin (v. 1b-5):
“Blessed is the one whose fault is removed,
whose sin is forgiven.
Blessed is the man to whom the LORD imputes no guilt,
in whose spirit is no deceit.
Because I kept silent, my bones wasted away;
I groaned all day long.
For day and night your hand was heavy upon me;
my strength withered as in dry summer heat.
Then I declared my sin to you;
my guilt I did not hide.
I said, ‘I confess my transgression to the LORD,’
and you took away the guilt of my sin.”
Psalm 38 – Prayer of an Afflicted Sinner (v. 2-5; 18-19; 22-23):
“LORD, do not punish me in your anger;
in your wrath do not chastise me!
Your arrows have sunk deep in me;
your hand has come down upon me.
There is no wholesomeness in my flesh because of your anger;
there is no health in my bones because of my sin.
My iniquities overwhelm me,
a burden too heavy for me…
I am very near to falling;
my wounds are with me always.
I acknowledge my guilt
and grieve over my sin…
Do not forsake me, O LORD;
my God, be not far from me!
Come quickly to help me,
my Lord and my salvation!”
Psalm 51 – The Miserere: Prayer of Repentance (v. 3-6a; 12-14):
“Have mercy on me, God, in accord with your merciful love;
in your abundant compassion blot out my transgressions.
Thoroughly wash away my guilt;
and from my sin cleanse me.
For I know my transgressions;
my sin is always before me.
Against you, you alone have I sinned;
I have done what is evil in your eyes…
A clean heart create for me, God;
renew within me a steadfast spirit.
Do not drive me from before your face,
nor take from me your holy spirit.
Restore to me the gladness of your salvation;
uphold me with a willing spirit.”
Psalm 102 – Prayer in Time of Distress (v. 2-3; 25-28):
“LORD, hear my prayer;
let my cry come to you.
Do not hide your face from me
in the day of my distress.
Turn your ear to me;
when I call, answer me quickly…
I plead, O my God,
do not take me in the midst of my days.
Your years last through all generations.
Of old you laid the earth’s foundations;
the heavens are the work of your hands.
They perish, but you remain;
they all wear out like a garment;
Like clothing you change them and they are changed,
but you are the same, your years have no end.”
Psalm 130 – Prayer for Pardon and Mercy (v. 1b-4):
“Out of the depths I call to you, LORD;
Lord, hear my cry!
May your ears be attentive
to my cry for mercy.
If you, LORD, keep account of sins,
Lord, who can stand?
But with you is forgiveness
and so you are revered.”
Psalm 143 – A Prayer in Distress (v. 1b, 7-8; 11):
“LORD, hear my prayer;
in your faithfulness listen to my pleading;
answer me in your righteousness…
Hasten to answer me, LORD;
for my spirit fails me.
Do not hide your face from me,
lest I become like those descending to the pit.
In the morning let me hear of your mercy,
for in you I trust.
Show me the path I should walk,
for I entrust my life to you…
For your name’s sake, LORD, give me life;
in your righteousness lead my soul out of distress.”
