text: 4 Against thee only have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight; * that thou mightest be justified in thy saying, and clear when thou shalt judge.
  6 But lo, thou requirest truth in the inward parts, * and shalt make me to understand wisdom secretly.
  7 Thou shalt purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; * thou shalt wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
  14 Deliver me from blood-guiltiness, O God, thou that art the God of my health; * and my tongue shall sing of thy righteousness.
  16 For thou desirest no sacrifice, else would I give it thee; * but thou delightest not in burnt-offerings.
  19 Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifice of righteousness, with the burnt-offerings and oblations; * then shall they offer young bullocks upon thine altar.
  As we approach the beginning of a new school year let us reflect on the “educational” theme that seems to run through the scripture selections for this ninth Sunday after Trinity. In our spiritual journey, we should always be learning and growing, never staying stagnant or in one place. This is not the focus of St. Paul and the other authors of the New Testament. They all focus on the forward movement and growth of each Christian believer. We are to thrive. It is the mark of a good plant or tree, if it thrives and produces fruit in its time. So should all believers. They should grow, tell others of the gift of God; Christ His only begotten Son, who died for our sins, and thrive a living believing child of the King.
  What are some of the “marks” of a thriving believer? And is there learning or educating is taking place within that believer’s life?
  David asks God to spiritual cleanse him and restore or renew a right spirit within him. He knows that only God can do this. So he asks God to do so.
  David understands that he has sinned and must be corrected. He has learned this from his knowledge of God’s revelation in his life. We know this because we have the written Word to guide and teach us.
  Now that David has been cleansed (a daily need)*, he then asks God to restore the joy of salvation, the freedom of fear, and the desire to praise God, his creator.