Hello friends and welcome to this Lectio Divina on Psalm 3.
It's going to be taken from a book by Nan Merrill called Psalms for Praying,
An invitation to wholeness.
And Lectio Divina is a way of reading the Bible,
Reading poetry or prose in a contemplative way,
In a way that connects with the heart rather than in a way to study or research or gain knowledge.
So as we come into this meditation,
This contemplative space,
I invite you to come to stillness.
Closing the eyes and being aware of the inhale and the exhale.
And the exhale.
Taking some deeper,
Wider breaths.
And on the exhale,
Letting go,
Letting the shoulders sink.
Allowing yourself to be supported and held by the chair.
Bringing your attention from thoughts,
From the noise of the head,
Travelling down to the still centre,
Where all is peaceful.
Where you find yourself loved,
Held and supported by God.
Where you are truly seen and known,
Loved and accepted.
And in this quietness,
As we come to this psalm,
Let everything fall away if just for these moments.
Nothing is required except to be present here and now,
Fully given to this time.
Allow what is to be and welcome the fullness of yourself to this time.
Body,
Soul and spirit.
Knowing that you are held in compassion and love.
Held in the welcome of the Trinity.
Father,
Mother God,
Holy Spirit and Jesus.
I'm going to read Psalm 3 three times.
And on this first reading,
I invite you to allow and welcome the words to come as a shower,
Washing over and through,
Without attaching to any of them.
Let them pass.
O Beloved,
How numerous are my fears!
They rise up within me whispering,
There is no help for you.
Yet you,
O Beloved,
Radiate love around me,
My glory.
Gratitude becomes my song.
When I cry out to you,
You answer within my heart.
I lie down to sleep.
If I should awaken,
My Beloved is there holding me with strength and tenderness.
I feel secure.
Now,
I shall forgive all illusions that my ego tries to build.
For my courage is in you,
O Love.
You who are the lover hidden in every heart.
Rise up,
Love,
Set me free.
For through your guidance,
My fears will fade into love.
Free from fear,
I will know the oneness of being that encompasses everything.
I shall be free to serve Love with a glad and open heart.
And on this second reading,
Be aware of any words or phrases that stand out to you,
That capture your attention.
O Beloved,
How numerous are my fears!
They rise up within me whispering,
There is no help for you.
Yet you,
O Beloved,
Radiate love around me,
My glory.
Gratitude becomes my song.
When I cry out to you,
You answer within my heart.
I lie down to sleep.
If I should awaken,
My Beloved is there holding me with strength and tenderness.
I feel secure.
Now,
I shall forgive all illusions that my ego tries to build.
For my courage is in you,
O Love.
You who are the lover hidden in every heart.
Rise up,
Love,
Set me free.
For through your guidance,
My fears will fade into love.
Free from fear,
I will know the oneness of being that encompasses everything.
I shall be free to serve Love with a glad and open heart.
And on this final reading,
An opportunity for what resonated,
For what captured your attention,
To minister more deeply and to speak to you.
O Beloved,
How numerous are my fears!
They rise up within me whispering,
There is no help for you.
Yet you,
O Beloved,
Radiate love around me,
My glory.
Gratitude becomes my song.
When I cry out to you,
You answer within my heart.
I lie down to sleep.
If I should awaken,
My Beloved is there holding me with strength and tenderness.
I feel secure.
Now,
I shall forgive all illusions that my ego tries to build.
For my courage is in you,
O Love.
You who are the lover hidden in every heart.
Rise up,
Love,
Set me free.
For through your guidance,
My fears will fade into love.
Free from fear,
I will know the oneness of being that encompasses everything.
I shall be free to serve Love with a glad and open heart.
Amen.
