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Lenten Season · Ash Wednesday · Year A

Psalm 51:3-4, 5-6ab, 12-13, 14+17

The Miserere: A Broken and Contrite Heart

February 18, 2026

Penitent King David, Hendrick Bloemaert
Penitent King David, Hendrick Bloemaert, 1647National Gallery Prague
A Utrecht painting of the king with the harp set aside, hands clasped, looking up out of a dark interior.Have mercy on me, O God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions.Hendrick BloemaertA Utrecht painter, son and pupil of Abraham Bloemaert, who went to Italy and brought back a taste for strong, close lighting.National Gallery PragueThe Czech national collection, spread across several historic buildings in Prague, including a Cubist department store.National Gallery Prague
Roman Lectionary
GospelMatt. 6:1-6, 16-18Mt 6:1-6, 16-18
Second Reading2 Cor. 5:20-6:22 Cor 5:20-6:2
First ReadingJoel 2:12-18Jl 2:12-18
Responsorial PsalmPs. 51:3-4, 5-6ab, 12-13, 14+17Ps 51:3-4, 5-6ab, 12-13, 14+17

Overview & Insights

"My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken, humbled heart, O God, you will not scorn." (Psalm 51:17)

This is David's prayer of repentance after his sin with Bathsheba, prayed by the whole church on Ash Wednesday as Lent begins with ashes and a call to turn back to God. The psalm does not ask God merely to overlook the sin, it asks for something to be washed and blotted out, trusting that a broken and humbled heart is the one sacrifice God never refuses.

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Take it further: Psalm 51:3-4, 5-6ab, 12-13, 14+17

Commentary

Commentary on Psalm 51:1-17Commentary on Ps 51:1-17 Working Preacher

A Luther Seminary reading of the whole psalm as the appropriate posture for entering Lent.

Psalm 51 Commentary: Restoration of a Broken and ContritePs 51 Commentary: Restoration of a Broken and Contrite Enduring Word · David Guzik

A verse by verse evangelical walk through David's confession and the mercy that answers it.

Psalm 51:1, classic commentatorsPs 51:1, classic commentators BibleHub

A classic aggregator stacking Barnes, Gill, Ellicott, and other historic commentators on the opening plea for mercy.

Psalms 51, Barnes' NotesPs 51, Barnes' Notes StudyLight

Albert Barnes' full notes on the penitential psalm, useful for the shape of David's confession.

Ash Wednesday Readings Agape Bible Study

A Catholic walk through the Ash Wednesday readings tying the psalm's confession to the day's call to repentance.

The Church Fathers

Psalm 51:17, patristic commentaryPs 51:17, patristic commentary Catena

Patristic comment gathered on the broken and humbled heart as the sacrifice God accepts.

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