Through And Through

Through and Through

Wash me throughly from mine iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin.

— Psalm 51:2 KJV

Because I cannot reach for a Bible and flip open the pages with my hands, I make it a point to memorize Scripture. It’s the only way I can have the Word of God at my fingertips! For me, memorizing portions of the Bible is very practical. I use the King James Version of the Bible when I commit God’s Word to memory. The words are uncommon — a little like poetry — and my mind seems to retain it easier.

When I was memorizing Psalm 51, I stopped short at the second verse. It says, “Wash me throughly from mine iniquity.” At first I thought it was a printing error, but after a little research, I learned it was the Elizabethan English way of saying “through and through.” You could paraphrase it, “Wash me through and through from my iniquity.” It’s not many times I prefer English from the sixteenth century, but this time I did. I don’t want God to merely scrub me good on the outside — it’s not a matter of cleansing me from my sin — but washing me clean, clear through.

The word throughly doesn’t exist anymore. When I wrote it on my computer, my automatic spell check kept trying to change it to thoroughly. But I’m with Shakespeare, Queen Elizabeth, and King James on this one. I don’t want God to do a surface job on my character; I want him to get rid of every vestige of deep-down hidden sins.

First Thessalonians 5:23 says (in modern English), “May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” From what hidden or secret sins can you ask God to wash you through and through today?

Lord, I confess ______________________. Thank you for forgiving me and completely cleansing me from all unrighteousness. Safeguard my heart and mind and keep me pure.