Lord, if you kept a count of my sins I would be crushed under the weight of my own rebellion. The number would be like the national debt, running up and up. You offer not to keep track instead. You do this so that I may stand, mouth agape, heart trembling, eyes not able to comprehend the magnificence of your character. You want me to be so overcome by your grace that I shudder at the thought of violating your forgiveness by how I live my life. Because of who you are, I can depend on you. The only ‘counting’ done in our relationship is my counting on you. You are free from any kind of deceit, so I trust everything you say. My hope is not the wisp of a dream but the assurance of a ‘done deal.’

Today I took the liberty of paraphrasing Psalm 130:3-5 and sharing it here. One of the ways to engage God’s word is to put it in ‘my words.’ There is a certain amount of danger in doing this, I have a heart that will mess me up if I don’t keep it submitted to my Lord’s direction. Sometimes paraphrasing robs the Word of all its transformative power. We do this when we cause it to say something it does not because it suits us or makes us feel better. Yet this tool can also add an immense depth into our reserved time with God. When I speak back to God my understanding of what He says, in my own words, often the Word becomes the ‘sharp, two-edged sword’ it promises to be.

Such was the case with this portion of the song. I was struck by the pun (in English only, not the original Hebrew) of not having my sin ‘counted’ but being about to ‘count’ on God. I was also challenged by my lack of awe. I take God’s grace for granted. It does not cause jaw-dropping awe in me as it should. For this I must repent, daily.

Rick Warren, in 40 Days in the Word, suggests the following when paraphrasing a passage:

• read the verse or passage over and over
• think about what God is saying to you
• put it into your own words
• search your heart to see how this verse applies to you
• talk to God about it.

Which passage of God’s Word have you written down as you understand it? How has it changed how you live?