Hello friends and welcome to this Lectio Divina on Psalm 63.
An unusually warm day in mid-October in England,
So I'm recording outside.
Welcome the sounds of nature,
Of life.
Maybe aeroplanes going by or a car going past on the lane.
Welcome them as part of this meditation.
I invite you to arrive and settle,
Gradually finding a comfortable position.
Gradually letting the day so far fall away.
And allowing yourself the gift of being present.
Simply here,
Just as you are,
Fully accepted,
Fully loved.
Maybe as you arrive you notice how you arrive.
You notice your heart.
You notice anything that needs tending to,
Underneath the surface.
You notice your body,
Your emotions,
Your mind.
Let it all find a space here,
Let it all be welcome.
Let these words bring you what you need and offer you their gift.
I'm going to read the whole Psalm three times.
This first reading is simply to let the words come without attaching to any in particular.
Psalm 63.
Oh love,
You are my beloved and I long for you.
My soul thirsts for you,
All that is within me thirsts.
As in a dry and barren land with no water.
So I have called out to you in my heart,
Sensing your power and glory.
Because your wondrous love is life in me,
My lips will praise you.
I would radiate your love as long as I live,
Becoming a blessing to others in gratitude to you.
My soul feasts as with a magnificent banquet and my mouth praises you with joyful lips.
When I ponder on your kindness and meditate on you throughout the night,
For you have been my salvation.
And in the shadows of your wings I sing for joy.
My soul clings to you,
Your love upholds me.
The fears that seem to separate me from you shall be transformed and disappear.
As they are faced,
Each fear is diminished.
They shall be gone as in a dream when I awaken.
And my soul shall rejoice in the beloved.
All who open their hearts to love will live in peace and joy.
As I read this through for the second time,
Notice any words or phrases that capture your attention.
Oh love,
You are my beloved and I long for you.
My soul thirsts for you.
All that is within me thirsts as in a dry and barren land with no water.
So I have called out to you in my heart,
Sensing your power and glory.
Because your wondrous love is life in me,
My lips will praise you.
I would radiate your love as long as I live,
Becoming a blessing to others in gratitude to you.
My soul feasts as with a magnificent banquet and my mouth praises you with joyful lips.
When I ponder on your kindness and meditate on you throughout the night,
For you have been my salvation and in the shadows of your wings I sing for joy.
My soul clings to you,
Your love upholds me.
The fears that seem to separate me from you shall be transformed and disappear.
As they are faced,
Each fear is diminished.
They shall be gone as in a dream when I awaken.
And my soul shall rejoice in the beloved.
All who open their hearts to love will live in peace and joy.
In this third and final reading,
Welcome those words and phrases to bring their gift.
Notice what they're offering you and how they make you feel,
How you want to respond to them.
What do they bring you that you need at this time?
What is their gift to you?
Let them come,
Welcome them as from the beloved.
Oh love,
You are my beloved and I long for you.
My soul thirsts for you,
All that is within me thirsts as in a dry and barren land with no water.
So I have called out to you in my heart,
Sensing your power and glory.
Because your wondrous love is life in me,
My lips will praise you.
I would radiate your love as long as I live,
Becoming a blessing to others in gratitude to you.
My soul feasts as with a magnificent banquet and my mouth praises you with joyful lips.
When I ponder on your kindness and meditate on you throughout the night.
For you have been my salvation and in the shadows of your wings I sing for joy.
My soul clings to you,
Your love upholds me.
The fears that seem to separate me from you shall be transformed and disappear.
As they are faced each fear is diminished,
They shall be gone as in a dream when I awaken.
And my soul shall rejoice in the beloved.
All who open their hearts to love will live in peace and joy.
May you be blessed with the goodness of these words.
May you be encouraged.
May you go about your day or your evening with joy,
Knowing that faithfulness and goodness,
The love of the beloved is ever present.
Amen.
Amen.
