记得之前曾经听过这首 hymn,听着就被这首歌打动了,a lamentation from a contrite heart,lament 得如此哀切。这首歌出自 Psalm 51,是 King David 在意识到自己犯下大罪时所著的 lamentation。当时的 King David 因为爱慕已婚的 Bathsheba,故而将 Bathsheba 的丈夫(Uriah)派到战队的最前线,使其快死,然后把 Bathsheba 娶过门。结果 Uriah 真的死了,King David 接着把 Bathsheba 娶过门并诞下一子。可是,天主对于 David 所犯下的罪感到非常生气,于是便派了 Nathan 先知向 David 问罪。Nathan 先知见 David 时并没有马上说出其罪行,而是告诉他一个故事。
“在一座城里有两个人,一富一贫。富人有很多牛羊;贫的,除了一只小母羊外,什么也没有。一天,有一个客人来到富人那里,富人舍不得拿自己的牛羊款待那来到他这里的旅客,却取了那贫穷人的母羊,来款待那到他这里来的人。”
King David 听了这个故事大怒,向 Nathan 先知说:“上主永在!做这事的人该死!并且,因为他这样行事,舍不得自己的牛羊,他应七倍偿还!”
接着,经典的来了。Nathan 先知对 King David 说:“这人就是你!”
King David 这时突然醒悟并悲痛忏悔写了以下这首。
Miserere(Have mercy)
Have mercy on me, O God, in your kindness
In your compassion, blot out my offense
Wash me O God, from the stain of my guilt
And cleanse me from my sin
Have mercy on me, O God, in your kindness
In your compassion, blot out my offense
Wash me O God, from the stain of my guilt
And cleanse me from my sin
My offenses, truly i know them
My sin is always before me
Against You alone have I sinned
What is evil in your sight I have done
Have mercy on me, O God, in your kindness
In your compassion, blot out my offense
Wash me O God, from the stain of my guilt
And cleanse me from my sin
Create in me a pure heart
Put a steadfast spirit within me
Do not cast me away from Your presence
Nor deprive me of Your spirit
Have mercy on me, O God, in your kindness
In your compassion, blot out my offense
Wash me O God, from the stain of my guilt
And cleanse me from my sin
Defend me, O God, my Saviour
My tongue shall sing out Your goodness
O Lord, open my lips
And my mouth shall proclaim Your praise
Have mercy on me, O God, in your kindness
In your compassion, blot out my offense
Wash me O God, from the stain of my guilt
And cleanse me from my sin
其实,整个圣经里记录了好多人的罪恶事迹。看着这些故事,更了解天父的慈爱。祂一次又一次的宽恕了我们,如此爱我们,甚至赐下他的独生子来赎我们。小的时候,圣经对我来说就只是一本厚厚的书。但现在,每一次读着这一些,字字句句都触动我的心,是我父在对我说话。祂的慈爱深不见底,源源不绝,没有尽头。
King David 的故事:
http://www.usccb.org/bible/2samuel/11
http://www.usccb.org/bible/2samuel/12
Psalm 51:
http://www.usccb.org/bible/psalms/51