Praying Through: Psalm 36:5

The Psalm

Psalm 36 (CSB)
⁵ LORD, your faithful love reaches to heaven, your faithfulness to the clouds.

The Prayer

My Only Righteousness

I search this earth

for something that is good and holy
none I can find
I see semblances
but none fulfilling.

But you led me to your word

and your word speaks of you.

I see that you alone are good

holy
justified
merciful
gracious
loving
and righteous.

And we are so far from you

I even see my own heart
and I am an infinite distant
from your presence.

Who would bridge this gap?

Is it I?

Then, let me try my best
let me abstain from sin
let me not look at porn
let me not lust after someone eclipses
let me not steal
let me not life
let me not swell in pride
let me fail not in helping those in need
let me do good1

Oh but everything I do is infected with sin.

I see it because I know it in my heart.

When I am helpful,

I do so in order for people to like me. When I am nice,
I want people to think I am good.

But if they could see my heart

if they could see the thoughts of my minds
that sin runs continuously
that wickedness runs without end
that treason is built into my soul
and they judge me wanting.

But you saw the depths of my soul

even beyond what I can see
in the darkness and despair
and you did not cower
you did not look away
you took pity on this old fool
and you gave me your Son
and you gave me your Spirit
and you gave me your inheritance
your daily mercies
your sweetest grace
and your steadfast love.

Keep me in palms of your hands O Lord

I stand on the spoken word of your Son
that no one
not anything
even sin
Satan
death
demons
and hell
can take me from your hand

Furthermore,

my God
you would never let me go.

Keep me in your heart

and speak into my soul
and write your words in my heart
that I may never sin against you.