Lectio Divina: Your Love Is Better Than Life (Psalm 63)

There are times when the events around our lives leave us empty, lost, and tired. It is easy to wonder where God is in those moments. In this Lectio Divina audio, we contemplate Psalm 63 - the words of which remind us that God's love is better than life. It is then that we find the strength that comes when God's hand upholds us.

Transcript

Welcome to this Lectio Divina audio in which we'll be contemplating the words of Psalm 63 verses 1 through 8.

The Psalms are a beautiful piece of writing right there in Scripture to remind us of our true humanity.

The Psalms were written in good times and in bad and they remind us of where God is no matter what our situation and circumstance.

In this particular Psalm we see this happening in the midst of turmoil.

Where,

As the psalmist notes,

That life is getting difficult,

Where it seems like God isn't present,

Where thirst and dryness are the metaphors to use for feeling God's absence in the midst of the circumstance that the psalmist finds themselves in.

That even there,

While meditating and reflecting on the goodness of God,

There can be a moment in which we're reminded that God is with us.

And that we can reflect on the fact that God is looking out for us and protecting us,

Even in those moments where it feels like God is completely silent.

And so I invite you now to join me in just pausing,

Taking a deep breath,

Instilling yourself in this time,

And reflecting with me on the words of Psalm 63.

Understanding where you are in connection with where the psalmist is and knowing that God's presence is with you.

And that in those moments,

Remember that God's love is better than life.

And so we ask that in this moment,

God,

You would open our ears to hear,

Our minds to reflect,

And our hearts to receive the good seed of your word.

May we be good and receptive soil to receive that seed and to bring forth a harvest which will make a difference in our lives,

But just as importantly in the lives of those around us.

Amen.

And so we begin.

Lord,

My God,

You are the one I seek.

My soul firsts for you.

My body longs for you in this dry and weary land where there is no water.

So I look to you in the sanctuary to see your power and glory because your love is better than life.

My lips will glorify you.

And so I bless you where I live.

In your name,

I lift up my hands.

My soul will be sated as with a sumptuous feast.

And with euphoric cries,

I will praise you.

I remember you when I'm in bed.

Through sleepless nights,

I meditate on you because you are my help.

And in the shadow of your wings,

I sing for joy.

My soul clings to you.

Your mighty hand upholds me.

My soul will be sated as with a sumptuous feast.

My soul will be sated as with a sumptuous feast.

My soul will be sated as with a sumptuous feast.

My soul will be sated as with a sumptuous feast.

Lord,

My God,

You are the one I seek.

My soul thirsts for you.

My body longs for you in this dry and weary land where there is no water.

So I look to you in the sanctuary to see your power and glory.

Because your love is better than life.

My lips will glorify you.

And so I bless you where I live.

In your name,

I lift up my hands.

My soul will be sated as with a sumptuous feast.

And with euphoric cries,

I will praise you.

I remember you when I'm in bed.

Through sleepless nights,

I meditate on you because you are my help.

And in the shadow of your wings,

I sing for joy.

My soul clings to you.

Your mighty hand upholds me.

My soul is sated as with a sumptuous feast.

My soul is sated as with a sumptuous feast.

My soul is sated as with a sumptuous feast.

My soul is sated as with a sumptuous feast.

Lord,

My God,

You are the one I seek.

My soul thirsts for you.

My body longs for you.

In this dry and weary land where there is no water.

So I look to you in the sanctuary to see your power and glory.

Because your love is better than life.

My lips will glorify you.

So I bless you where I live.

In your name,

I lift up my hands.

My soul will be sated as with a sumptuous feast.

And with euphoric cries,

I will praise you.

I remember you when I'm in bed.

Through sleepless nights,

I meditate on you because you are my help.

And in the shadow of your wings,

I sing for joy.

My soul clings to you.

Your mighty hand upholds me.

My soul is sated as with a sumptuous feast.

My soul is sated as with a sumptuous feast.

My soul is sated as with a sumptuous feast.

My soul is sated as with a sumptuous feast.

My soul is sated as with a sumptuous feast.

And as we rise from this time of prayer,

I pray along with the Apostle Paul,

That you,

Being rooted and established in love,

May have power,

Together with all the saints,

To grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ,

And to know this love that surpasses knowledge,

That you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

And may grace,

Peace and love be with you,

My friend,

This day and always.

Amen.

Reviews

The simple piano melody was a welcome and unobtrusive backdrop for this meditation. Several phrases in the Scripture reading caught me off guard delightfully—what paraphrase or translation do you use? I am coming to love my time spent in the morning with your lectio divina practices. They bring me peace and renewal. Thank you for sharing many of them for free.

So beautiful and meaningful. Thank you so much.🙏🏿

Thank you so much! ❤️ A beautiful, uplifting restbit.

Always surprises me what these deliver between the first and third reading 😍

Really connecting with our Lord through your meditations and prayer. Thank you.

Amazing!

Thank you, Mark.

This is just what we need - I need - for these dry and thirsty times! 🙏

That was a wonderful meditation for the morning. Thank you. Hope to see many more like these

Thank you Mark for a great time of meditating and communication with God. Was really blessed by this today

Thank you. In the midst of depression I found great comfort in this.

I loved this and will
listen to it often. Thank you

This was exactly what I needed to hear this morning, nourishing in every way. Thank you. 🙏