Welcome to this Lectio Divina on Psalm 81.
You are really welcome here and I invite you to settle into your space,
To gently arrive and gather yourself in from the day so far and from what's coming,
To allow yourself to simply be here in the welcome of the Beloved,
Unconditionally loved and celebrated.
Notice your breath,
Let distractions and thoughts fall away and when they return,
Return to your breath and the sound of my voice and these words are going to be read.
I'm going to read the whole psalm once and return to a few verses twice more.
Psalm 81.
Sing in unison to the Most High,
Our strength.
Shout for joy and join the celebration.
Raise a song,
Sound the great bells,
The flute and the harp.
Blow the trumpet at the new moon,
At the full moon and on all the feast days.
Sing in gratitude to the great hunter,
To the one who seeks out all hearts.
Give thanks in the congregations that the good news may be heard throughout the land.
I hear a voice I have come to know.
I relieve your shoulder of the burden.
Your spirit is free to create.
In distress when you call,
I come to you.
I answer you in the secret place of your heart.
I invite you to the grace of forgiveness.
Hear,
O my people,
While I caution you.
O dear friends,
If you would but listen.
Do not make of riches and ambition a powerful God.
Do not become puffed up with pride and arrogance.
I am your very breath.
I have been with you from the beginning.
Open your heart wide and I shall fill it.
Who among you will listen to the voice of the beloved?
How many will open their heart?
All you too stubborn to hear,
Who follow your own counsel,
Will know fear and loneliness.
O that my people would listen,
That as friends you would walk in my ways.
Your fears would soon flee and your hearts would overflow.
You who turn your backs on love will know only momentary pleasure.
Your reward will soon be spent.
I would satisfy your hunger and with streams of living water you would live in the joy of heaven here on earth.
We return now to a few verses and as I read them this first time notice any words or word or phrases that capture your attention.
Sing in gratitude to the great hunter,
To the one who seeks out all hearts.
Give thanks in the congregations that the good news may be heard throughout the land.
I hear a voice I have come to know.
I relieve your shoulder of the burden.
Your spirit is free to create.
In distress when you call I come to you.
I answer you in the secret place of your heart.
I invite you to the grace of forgiveness.
As I read those words one last time let them bring their gift.
Receive what you need.
Receive invitation.
Receive offering.
Let them find a resting place within you so that the fullness of their gift can be received.
Sing in gratitude to the great hunter,
To the one who seeks out all hearts.
Give thanks in the congregations that the good news may be heard throughout the land.
I hear a voice I have come to know.
I relieve your shoulder of the burden.
Your spirit is free to create.
In distress when you call I come to you.
I answer you in the secret place of your heart.
I invite you to the grace of forgiveness.
Of course return to these words again.
Sit with them.
Let them find that resting place within.
May they bring their gift.
May they bring what you need and may you be blessed.
Amen.
