Remember, Lord, Your compassion and Your faithfulness,

For they have been from of old.

Do not remember the sins of my youth or my wrongdoings;

Remember me according to Your faithfulness,

For Your goodness’ sake, Lord.

Psalm 25:6-7

Psalm 25 is a plea for forgiveness and redemption in a fervent and sincere way that overflows with remorse. David is calling out to God from a place of pain; the pain of his own trespass.

The verses above are an amazing insight amidst that separation and pain. David points out that his sins are only as old as his youth, at the oldest but God’s compassion and faithfulness have been there since the beginning. He appeals to the primacy of God’s mercy. “You were a forgiving and merciful God before I was ever born, so for the sake of your own goodness, forgive me too.”

Don’t be afraid of your own sin. Cry out to God and ask him for forgiveness, because his mercy precedes every one of your foolish mistakes and willful transgressions.

Ethan Kirl