“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” Psalm 51:10
The writer has a lot of requests in Psalm 51 – so many that one can get the impression that he carries around a list (though don’t we all!). He seeks mercy, cleansing, wisdom, joy, and forgiveness, just to name a few of his requests. Among all those requests though, the two in this passage seem central, and the most sustaining: 1) a “pure heart”, and 2) a “steadfast spirit.” One could, I suppose, argue that “faith, hope, and love” ought to make the list, perhaps others, but it occurs to me that if one has the “pure heart” and “steadfast spirit,” the rest follow, or there would be no/less need for them. All that to say that while the “pure heart” and “steadfast spirit” may not be a complete list, those are at least a damn good start.
It occurs to me... 