Ashes to Ashes. . .

The sacrifices of God are a broken | spirit;*
     a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will | not despise.
Have mercy on me, O God, according to your | steadfast love;*
     according to your abundant mercy blot out my trans- | gressions.
Wash me thoroughly from my in- | iquity,*
     and cleanse me | from my sin!
For I know my trans- | gressions,*
     and my sin is ever be- | fore me.
Against you, you only, have I sinned and done what is evil | in your sight,*
     so that you may be justified in your words and blameless in your | judgment.
Behold, I was brought forth in in- | iquity,*
     and in sin did my mother con- | ceive me.
Behold, you delight in truth in the inward | being,*
     and you teach me wisdom in the | secret heart.
Purge me with hyssop, and I | shall be clean;*
     wash me, and I shall be whit- | er than snow.
Let me hear joy and | gladness;*
     let the bones that you have bro- | ken rejoice.
Hide your face | from my sins,*
     and blot out all my in- | iquities.
Create in me a clean heart, | O God,*
     and renew a right spirit with- | in me.
Cast me not away from your | presence,*
     and take not your Holy Spirit | from me.
Restore to me the joy of your sal- | vation,*
     and uphold me with a willing | spirit.
Then I will teach transgressors | your ways,*
     and sinners will re- | turn to you.
Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, O God of my sal- | vation,*
     and my tongue will sing aloud of your | righteousness.
O Lord, open | my lips,*
     and my mouth will de- | clare your praise.
For you will not delight in sacrifice, or I would | give it;*
     you will not be pleased with a burnt | offering.
The sacrifices of God are a broken | spirit;*
     a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will | not despise.
Do good to Zion in your good | pleasure;*
     build up the walls of Je- | rusalem;
then will you delight in right sacrifices, in burnt offerings and whole burnt | offerings;*
     then bulls will be offered on your | altar.
Glory be to the Father and | to the Son*
     and to the Holy | Spirit;
as it was in the be- | ginning,*
     is now, and will be forever. | Amen.
The sacrifices of God are a broken | spirit;*    
     a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will | not despise.

Almighty and everlasting God, You despise nothing You have made and forgive the sins of all who are penitent. Create in us new and contrite hearts that lamenting our sins and acknowledging our wretchedness we may receive from You full pardon and forgiveness; through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever.  Amen.