God’s patience, our pardon

Rhona Cathcart March 26, 2023 1 1

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Psalm 25: 6-7 (NRSVA)

6 Be mindful of your mercy, O Lord, and of your steadfast love,
    for they have been from of old.
7 Do not remember the sins of my youth or my transgressions;
    according to your steadfast love remember me,
    for your goodness’ sake, O Lord!

It’s interesting that the NRSV translation of verse 6 of today’s psalm instructs God to be mindful. Imagine telling God to practise mindfulness!

Of course in this context to be mindful is not about focusing on the moment or on your sensory experience. Instead it means to remember, or bring to mind. In Scotland the word ‘mind’ is often used as a synonym for remember, as in: “Mind that day we went down the beach?”

Some translations use the word ‘remember’ and we then have a three part pattern in which God is told in these two verses, Remember. Don’t Remember. Remember. Remember your mercy. Don’t remember my sins. Remember me in love.

This reminds me of the lovely Scottish expression, and practice, of giving someone “a wee minding”. These are small gifts which are given for no particular reason apart from letting the recipient know that the giver ‘remembers’ them in love.

The psalmist knows he doesn’t deserve God’s pardon, but he trusts that in the enormity of God’s mindfulness, God does and will ‘remember’ him in love.

PRAYER:

Mindful God,

Help us to remember

Remember the vastness of your mercy

Remember the steadfastness of your love

May this prayer be a ‘wee minding’ from us to you,

Of no great value in itself,

but made priceless by your acceptance and forgiveness

In Jesus’ name. Amen.