Grab the Hyssop!

Psalm 51:1-10
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition

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.

Create in me a clean heart, O God,
and put a new and right spirit within me.

Reflection

Hyssop (hyssopus officinalis) is a medicinal herb, known since ancient times for many healing properties. I quick search into guides will yield suggestions for cough, colds, cuts, and bruises. It is a perennial in zones 4-10 which blooms most of the summer and bees love it! It is a member of the mint family, so it is particularly fragrant. This passage, though, is referring to the liturgical use of the herb for a ceremony of spiritual cleansing (Ex 12.22, Lev. 14.4) To be made "clean" in this sense is a renewal back into the community.

Even though we typically think of this Psalm as connecting with Lent, sin knows no season. We all sin and fall short of the glory. We all need to reset and start again. The note for this Psalm describes to the leader that the occasion for this Psalm was the confrontation between Nathan and David after David's infidelity. Yet, I would say that it need not be an epic fail to call out, "Grab the Hyssop!" Rather, we can turn to our loving Jesus today or any time that we have drifted or misstepped. 

Dear Lord Jesus, you love us more than we could understand or deserve. We are so deeply indebted to you for everything that is good in our lives. Yet, we do not follow you like we should. We turn to you and return to your goodness. Fill us again with your peace and hope so that we can share and give freely to others. Make us to be spreaders of your love and bringers of kindness and justice. In your Name we pray. Amen.