Miserere Psalm

So I'm continually going on with the book I'm reading, The Charms of Tea. When once again, something caught my attention.



There was a little quote inside by Sir Kenelm Digby from 'The Closet Opened. Who or what is that, I have no idea. Here is his quote about tea....

"The hot water is to remain upon the tea no longer than whiles you can say the Miserere Psalm very leisurely."

Well of course I was wondering what the Miserere Psalm is and I did happen to find it on the world wide web. Here is how it goes.

Psalm 51-The Miserere:Prayer of Repentance (kind of long, sorry)

Have mercy on me, God inour goodness
in your abundant compassion
blot out my offense.
Wash away all my quilt;
from my sin cleanse me.

For I know my offense;
my sin is always before me.
Against you alone have I sinned;
I have done such evil in your sight
That you are just in your sentence,
blameless when you condemn.
True, I was born guilty,
a sinner, even as my mother conceived me.
Still, you insist on sincerity of heart;
in my inmost being teach me wisdom.

Cleanse me with hyssop, that I may be pure;
wash me, make me whiter than snow.
Let me hear sounds of joy and gladness;
let the bones you have crushed rejoice.
Turn away your face from my sins;
blot out all my guilt.

A clean heart create for me, God;
renew in me a steadfast spirit.
Do not drive me from your presence,
nor take from me your holy spirit.
Restore my joy in your salvation;
sustain in me a willing spirit.

I will teach the wicked your ways,
that sinners may return to you.
Rescue me from death, God, my saving God,
that my tongue may praise your healing power.
Lord, open my lips;
my mouth will proclaim your praise.
For you do not desire sacrifice;
a burnt offering you would not accept.
My sacrifice, God, is a broken spirit;
God, do not spurn a broken, humbled heart.

Psalm 51:3-19

Apparently it's used in the Catholic church and I didn't even know that.
A famous story about this song is that Mozart at the age of 14 heard this song once and then went back to his room to write it down. He then went back to hear it again two days after to fix only a couple of errors! You got to love Mozart! And I do love Mozart.
Now the next time we are brewing our tea, we can all recite this psalm leisurely, and then our tea will be done! Oh and Maybe put on a little Mozart.
I'm signing off.......from Peek-A-Boo Street!