Welcome to this Lectio Divina on Psalm 111.
Take a gentle pause as you arrive and get comfortable.
Take a moment for a few deeper,
Wider breaths.
To let your attention come down into your body.
Noticing where you can soften and let go.
And your shoulders drop.
Can your face relax?
Is there anything that you want to be unburdened from in this moment?
That you can let go of,
Surrender into the care of love.
And now opening your heart,
Your body,
Your spirit to receive these words.
I'm going to read the whole psalm three times.
And on this first reading,
Simply let the words come,
Like a gentle rain,
Without attaching to any in particular.
Psalm 111.
Praise the Beloved,
O my soul.
I will give thanks to you with my whole heart.
To all who will listen,
I will tell of your goodness.
Wondrous is creation.
Great builder.
I take pleasure in pondering your work.
Full of honour and integrity are your teachings.
Those who follow them will find new life.
You lift the hearts of those who suffer.
You come to them in their need.
Your steadfast love is food for the soul.
Nourishment in times of fear.
You are ever mindful of your covenant.
A very presence to the weary and afflicted.
Your voice is truth to those with ears to hear.
Your precepts are sure.
Written on the hearts of your people.
They are to be lived forever with faith-filled love and assurance.
You bring new life to the world.
Yes,
Life in abundance is your gift to us.
Holy and glorious is your name.
Reverence for you,
O Holy One,
Is the beginning of wisdom.
A good understanding have all who practice it.
Your spirit endures forever.
As I read these words for a second time,
Notice any that capture your attention.
Praise the Beloved,
O my soul!
I will give thanks to you with my whole heart.
To all who will listen,
I will tell of your goodness.
Wondrous is creation.
Great builder.
I take pleasure in pondering your work.
Full of honour and integrity are your teachings.
Those who follow them will find new life.
You lift the hearts of those who suffer.
You come to them in their need.
Your steadfast love is food for the soul,
Nourishment in times of fear.
You are ever mindful of your covenant.
A very presence to the weary and afflicted.
Your voice is truth to those with ears to hear.
Your precepts are sure.
Written on the hearts of your people,
They are to be lived forever with faith-filled love and assurance.
You bring new life to the world.
Yes,
Life in abundance is your gift to us.
Holy and glorious is your name.
Reverence for you,
O Holy One,
Is the beginning of wisdom.
A good understanding have all who practice it.
Your spirit endures forever.
On this third and final reading,
Welcome the words that captured your attention to bring their gift where they're needed.
What encouragement do you need from them at this time?
How can they be a balm to your soul?
Welcome them into your being.
To pour through your veins and to bring you what you need,
To bring you the love and the tenderness of the beloved.
Praise the Beloved,
O my soul.
I will give thanks to you with my whole heart.
To all who will listen I will tell of your goodness.
Wondrous is creation,
Great builder.
I take pleasure in pondering your work.
Full of honour and integrity are your teachings.
Those who follow them will find new life.
You lift the hearts of those who suffer.
You come to them in their need.
Your steadfast love is food for the soul.
Nourishment in times of fear.
You are ever mindful of your covenant,
A very presence to the weary and afflicted.
Your voice is truth to those with ears to hear.
Your precepts are sure,
Written on the hearts of your people.
They are to be lived forever with faith-filled love and assurance.
You bring new life to the world.
Yes,
Life in abundance is your gift to us.
Holy and glorious is your name.
Reverence for you,
O Holy One,
Is the beginning of wisdom.
A good understanding have all who practice it.
Your spirit endures forever.
May you go in the steadfast love of the beloved.
May you know yourselves nourished.
By divine tenderness.
Go in peace and joy,
My friends.
Amen.
