Confession

I (Scott) love to write and I write different kinds of things - both for my job and on the side. Recently, God has been teaching me more and more about confession. We Baptists don't talk about confession. Well, we do talk about private confession of sins to God. But we don't talk about it much. And we certainly don't talk much about public confession.

Don't worry. I'm not going to start pouring out sinful secrets here online. I'm not advocating that. But God has been showing me that confessions more than just listing and apologizing for bad acts. Recently praying aloud and confessing my deep need for God is becoming an important practice for me. Expressing our estrangement from God and our need for His grace is something the church body should do - at least from time to time.

So, as I pondered and prayed on these things, I began to write a hymn - a hymn of confession. The hymn is based on Psalm 51 (David's Psalm of confession). This is a dual joy - joy in trying something new and joy in the response of forgiveness that comes from our confessions to God. I'm still tinkering with it, and probably will from time to time. As a writer, nothing is ever finished - just as good as it is for the moment! But I'm sharing it here. I welcome feedback, criticism, or comment on it.

I wrote it to go with the hymn tune "Beach Spring." Piano version from YouTube is below if you want accompaniment as you read it (or sing!).

Hear Me God, I Am a Sinner (R. Scott Wiley)

Hear me, God, I am a sinner, descendant of Adam's race

I have nothing I can offer but my shame and my disgrace

Against You and You alone, God, I've done evil in Your sight

Pride directs my sinful journey, choosing darkness over light

You are right when You pass sentence , Sinful I have always been

Blot out all of my transgression, Turn Your face from all my sin

Purify me, Lord with hyssop, Wash me whiter than the snow

Create in me a clean heart, Oh God, only one way this is so

On the cross's cruel punishment, Jesus took this sinner's place

Wrath was put upon His shoulder, He showed mercy and God's grace

Through His blood my guilty soul No longer judged but justified

Conquered death, the Resurrected Son of God is glorified