By Timothy Dunn
Psalm 51:
6 You desire truth in the inward being;
therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart.
7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean;
wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
We are familiar with Psalm 51; an adaptation of it is used as a prayer of confession in the liturgy of the Reformed Church throughout the year.
In Psalm 51:6, David says that God desires truth in the inward being, and he prays that God would give him wisdom in his secret heart. Among the truths God desires for us is to know who God is and who we are. We may learn truth from external resources, but God also desires that we learn and assimilate truth deep within ourselves. God desires that the truth that we know and understand with our minds be also in our hearts. David refers to the heart as “the inward being,” and “secret heart,” the place where God is truly known.
Our digital-information society provides us with access to knowledge instantly. However, the accumulation of knowledge does not equal wisdom, which is the ability to apply knowledge to life’s circumstances. When we find ourselves in a crisis or need direction to make major decisions, we may need wisdom.
The heart of the matter is that God desires to teach us truth and wisdom in the inner person. This requires that we take time to be mindful of what is going on in our hearts. The result may be that we will discover wisdom and joy in our hearts from being renewed by God.
Prayer: God of my salvation, you desire truth in my inward being. Cleanse and renew my heart and teach me wisdom in my secret heart. In Christ Jesus’s name, amen.