Hello and welcome to this Lectio Divina on the first half of Psalm 9.
I invite you to prepare by being aware of your breath,
Following the movement of air in and out of the lungs and as you do to invite stillness and rest,
To receive the grace to be present here and now in this moment.
Allow yourself to settle,
To come to stillness within,
Letting go of the day so far and of what's to come,
Remembering that you are seen and loved and held by the Beloved.
Psalm 9 Give thanks to the Beloved with your whole heart.
Tell the story of love's way.
Be glad and dance with joy.
Sing praises to the name above all names as illusions are dispelled.
As they fade away before love's face.
For you,
O Beloved,
Are ever present,
Ready to be known in open hearts.
You know each nation and see how they destroy one another.
Chaos and darkness rise up,
Lined to love's way.
Forgotten is creation's glory,
False power seeks to destroy the divine plan.
Yet love will abide forever.
For you have established yourself in secret places,
Seeking out receptive hearts,
Ready to enter and make your dwelling place within.
Love is a stronghold for the oppressed,
A foundation in difficult times.
And those who know love's name,
They're in place,
They're trust.
For you,
O Beloved,
Are ever present to those who know you.
I'm going to read these words through twice more.
And on this second reading,
I invite you to notice any words or phrases that capture your attention.
Give thanks to the Beloved with your whole heart.
Tell the story of love's way.
Be glad and dance with joy.
Sing praises to the name above all names as illusions are dispelled,
As they fade away before love's face.
For you,
O Beloved,
Are ever present,
Ready to be known in open hearts.
You know each nation and see how they destroy one another.
Chaos and darkness rise up,
Blind to love's way.
Forgotten is creation's glory.
False power seeks to destroy the divine plan.
Yet love will abide forever.
For you have established yourself in secret places,
Seeking out receptive hearts,
Ready to enter and make your dwelling place within.
Love is a stronghold for the oppressed,
A foundation in difficult times.
And those who know love's name therein place their trust.
For you,
O Beloved,
Are ever present to those who know you.
And on this final reading,
Welcome those words or phrases that stood out to you,
To go deeper.
Invite them to speak.
What are they saying?
What are they inviting?
Do they offer you comfort?
Do they speak to you of where your heart and your life is in this present moment?
Welcome those words to bring you what you need in this moment.
Give thanks to the Beloved with your whole heart.
Tell the story of love's way.
Be glad and dance with joy.
Sing praises to the name above all names,
As illusions are dispelled,
As they fade away before love's face.
For you,
O Beloved,
Are ever present,
Ready to be known in open hearts.
You know each nation and see how they destroy one another.
Chaos and darkness rise up,
Blind to love's way.
Forgotten is creation's glory.
False power seeks to destroy the divine plan.
Yet love will abide forever.
For you have established yourself in secret places,
Seeking out receptive hearts,
Ready to enter and make your dwelling place within.
Love is a stronghold for the oppressed,
A foundation in difficult times.
And those who know love's name,
Therein place their trust.
For you,
O Beloved,
Are ever present to those who know you.
I invite you to linger with the words and phrases,
To remain in this place of stillness and quiet,
To journal anything that's come to you or simply be within the love of God,
Welcoming yourself to be met and to be found by love's presence.
May blessing,
Hope and great goodness go with you.
Amen.
