Unlikely Bible verses

[Alimantado]

I went to a sermon yesterday that included a reading of Psalm 51 and the line:

17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

I suddenly realised that one of my favourite poems, 'Ballad of Reading Gaol' by Oscar Wilde, directly quotes this verse:

"...And every human heart that breaks,
In prison-cell or yard,
Is as that broken box that gave
Its treasure to the Lord,
And filled the unclean leper's house
With the scent of costliest nard.

Ah! happy day they whose hearts can break
And peace of pardon win!
How else may man make straight his plan
And cleanse his soul from Sin?
How else but through a broken heart
May Lord Christ enter in?

And he of the swollen purple throat.
And the stark and staring eyes,
Waits for the holy hands that took
The Thief to Paradise;
And a broken and a contrite heart
The Lord will not despise..."

Part 5, stansas 13, 14 and 15

[Jerry]

Thanks - that was worth reading this morning. God is more concerned with a heart that is grieved over its sin and turns to the Lord than with all the outward show or rituals.

Is this ballad online?

[Psalms18_28]

Alot of famous men quote from the bible. alot of favorite sayings is from the bible too.

Thanks for sharing. :thumb

[Danny Carlton]

You know Oscar Wilde was a self-profession homosexual and pedophile, right?

[Jerry]

Not until now (if your info is correct). I like what has been quoted, except it seems the last stanza can be taken two different ways (without knowing the context of the whole poem) - one good and one bad. It sounds like someone who was being hung for a crime but looking forward to seeing Jesus.

[Alimantado]

Oscar Wilde wrote the poem after being imprisoned in Reading gaol for two years for homosexual activity. Whilst he was in jail, another inmate was hanged, and the poem is about the few days leading up to the man's hanging. Wilde was a divorcee, a homosexual, a catholic, and a good many other things, no doubt. The poem isn't about any of those things, but I wouldn't expect anyone here to want to read it, on account of its author. Because it has been asked for, here's a link:
http://www.poets.org/viewmedia.php/prmMID/19410

Comments on Psalm 51 would be especially welcomed. I'd never seen it before and I have to admit, it left me speechless.

[Bakershalfdozen]

<< Psalm 51 >>

To the chief Musician, A Psalm of David, when Nathan the prophet came unto him, after he had gone in to Bathsheba.

1 Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies blot out my transgressions.
2 Wash me thoroughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.
3 For I acknowledge my transgressions: and my sin is ever before me.
4 Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.
5 Behold, I was shapen in iniquity,; and in sin did my mother conceive me.
6 Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.
7 Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.
8 Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice.
9 Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities.
10 Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me.
11 Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me.
12 Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit.
13 Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee.
14 Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, thou God of my salvation: and my tongue shall sing aloud of thy righteousness.
15 O Lord, open thou my lips; and my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.
16 For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.
18 Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.
19 Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.


Historically, Psalm 51 was written by King David after he committed adultery with another man's wife, impregnated her and had the husband killed. The child that was born died soon after birth. You can read the story in II Samuel 11 and 12.

1 And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings

<< 2 Samuel 11 >>

[Jerry]

Reference was also made to the thief on the cross being forgiven:

Lu

[John the Baptist]

I went to a sermon yesterday that included a reading of Psalm 51 and the line:

17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

I suddenly realised that one of my favourite poems, 'Ballad of Reading Gaol' by Oscar Wilde, directly quotes this verse:

"...And every human heart that breaks,
In prison-cell or yard,
Is as that broken box that gave
Its treasure to the Lord,
And filled the unclean leper's house
With the scent of costliest nard.

Ah! happy day they whose hearts can break
And peace of pardon win!
How else may man make straight his plan
And cleanse his soul from Sin?
How else but through a broken heart
May Lord Christ enter in?

And he of the swollen purple throat.
And the stark and staring eyes,
Waits for the holy hands that took
The Thief to Paradise;
And a broken and a contrite heart
The Lord will not despise..."

Part 5, stansas 13, 14 and 15

Sounds like God was working in his heart.

[Alimantado]

Oscar Wilde's or the condemned prisoner's?

Thanks for the other references!

[HappyChristian]

Oscar Wilde's or the condemned prisoner's?

Thanks for the other references!

From reading the poem, I have to think that maybe being in prison those 2 years cause Wilde to be open to some things. It felt like I was there!!

[Bakershalfdozen]

Same here. The ballad was quite moving. Wilde told the whole story of the condemned man and used so much Scripture near the end. Normally, when ppl write poetry, they are writing from their heart. Perhaps Oscar Wilde died a saved man?

[Guest Guest]

Alot of famous men quote from the bible. alot of favorite sayings is from the bible too.

Thanks for sharing. :thumb

Yep! But then again, who wouldn't want to quote the world's number one best seller? :thumb

[Ashlee]

:amen: