Welcome to this Lectio Divina on Psalm 96.
Take some time to settle in and come to stillness.
To get comfortable.
To notice your inhale and your exhale.
To let anything that can fall away,
Fall away.
To welcome and unburdening.
To open to love and to being found in this moment just as you are.
Nothing required or demanded.
Simply you and the Beloved.
Tending to your heart and your story and your life at this time.
Breathe deeply.
And soften.
You are welcome here.
I'm going to read the psalm three times.
On this first reading,
Simply let the words come without attaching to any in particular.
Psalm 96 O sing to the cosmos a new song.
O sing to the Creator and bless the name above all names.
Sing praises to the Glorious One from day to day.
Declare the splendor of the Radiant One to all nations.
The marvellous works of love to all peoples.
For great is the Beloved and greatly to be praised.
Reverence love above all else.
For where your thoughts are reveals that which you treasure.
Seek only the true treasure.
Truth and integrity live with love.
Strength and beauty dwell with the Beloved.
Yield to love,
O families of the earth.
Yield to love's glory and strength.
Yield to love and learn of justice.
Make of yourselves an offering and be guided by love.
Bow down in adoration and holiness.
For worthy is the Beloved to be praised in all the earth.
The Creator of the cosmos reigns.
Yes,
The world has been created,
Gift to all generations.
Let truth and justice give birth to peace.
Let the heavens be glad and let the earth rejoice.
Let the seas laugh and all that fills them.
Let the fields exult and everything in them.
Then shall the trees of the forest sing for joy before the coming of the Beloved who reigns in glory.
For through the earth and through the heavens for through love will come truth and justice offering all the people gifts of new life.
On this second reading notice any words or phrases that are drawing your attention.
O sing to the cosmos a new song.
Sing to the Creator and bless the name above all names.
Sing praises to the Glorious One from day to day.
Declare the splendor of the Radiant One to all nations.
The marvelous works of love to all the earth.
The love of all peoples for great is the Beloved and greatly to be praised.
Reverence love above all else.
For where your thoughts are reveals that which you treasure.
Seek only the true treasure.
Truth and integrity live with love.
Strength and beauty dwell with the Beloved.
Yield to love O families of the earth.
Yield to love's glory and strength.
Yield to love and learn of justice.
Make of yourselves an offering and be guided by love.
Bow down in adoration and holiness.
For worthy is the Beloved to be praised in all the earth.
The Creator of the cosmos reigns.
Yes the world has been created gift to all generations.
Let truth and justice give birth to peace.
And harmony.
Let the heavens be glad and let the earth rejoice.
Let the seas laugh and all that fills them.
Let the fields exult and everything in them.
Then shall the trees of the forest sing for joy.
Before the coming of the Beloved who reigns in glory.
For through love will come truth and justice.
Offering all the people gifts of new life.
On this third and final reading,
Welcome the words and phrases that drew your attention to unfold inside of you.
Let them bring their gift.
Noticing,
Becoming aware of your response in return.
Oh sing to the cosmos a new song.
Sing to the Creator and bless the name above all names.
Sing praises to the Glorious One from day to day.
Declare the splendor of the Radiant One to all nations.
The marvellous works of love to all peoples.
For great is the Beloved and greatly to be praised.
Reverence love above all else.
For where your thoughts are,
Reveals that which you treasure.
Seek only the true treasure.
Truth and integrity live with love.
Strength and beauty dwell with the Beloved.
Yield to love,
Oh families of the earth.
Yield to love and love will be your reward.
Love's glory and strength yield to love and learn of justice.
Make of yourselves an offering and be guided by love.
Bow down in adoration and holiness.
For worthy is the Beloved to be praised in all the earth.
The Creator of the cosmos reigns.
Yes,
The world has been created,
Gift to all generations.
Let truth and justice give birth to peace and harmony.
Let the heavens be glad and let the earth rejoice.
Let the seas laugh and all that fills them.
Let the fields exult and everything in them.
Then shall the trees of the forest sing for joy before the coming of the Beloved who reigns in glory.
For through love will come truth and justice,
Offering all the people gifts of new life.
What a beautiful psalm.
What a beautiful psalm.
I hope and trust that it continues to bring its gift to you as you leave this Lectio.
Do return and re-listen.
Do return to the words and phrases within you and let them continue to bring their gift.
May you go knowing how deeply you're loved and how tenderly you are cared for.
Go gently,
Go softly.
Amen.
