Hello and welcome to this Lectio Divina on Psalm 17.
And as we come to this Psalm,
I invite you to let yourself settle and arrive in this space,
This sacred space where you are welcome,
Just as you are all of you,
Body,
Soul and spirit.
To be here,
Letting go of any demands and knowing that for right now all that's required is for you to be.
Be aware of your breath and if it's helpful take a few deeper wider breaths,
Making the out breath longer than the inhale and as you exhale,
Sinking,
Letting yourself be held and supported and gently coming to stillness.
Because this Psalm is slightly longer,
I'm going to read it twice.
So on this first reading,
Simply welcome the words.
Listen to my heart,
O love divine,
Hear the cry within me,
Heed my prayer from lips that would utter truth.
For in you do I seek justice.
Be thou my eyes that I may see with clarity.
If you try my heart,
If you visit me by night,
If you test me,
You will discover my only desire is to draw closer to you.
I see the injustice and the oppression piercing the hearts of your people.
Be thou my feet that I may walk along your paths,
That I may be a benevolent presence on life's highway.
I call upon you knowing you will answer me.
Heart of my heart,
Incline your ear to me,
Hear my words.
Wonderously show your steadfast love.
O love divine,
You walk beside me,
Giving me strength to face the fears that dwell within.
Keep me as the apple of your eye,
Hide me in the shadow of your wings from all that would separate me from your love.
Open my heart that compassion may be my companion.
Where I meet pride,
Humble me.
Where I meet anger,
Calm my fears.
Where I meet injustice,
Cause me to act in love's way.
May I be as gentle as the doe,
As fearless as the lion,
As faithful as the dog.
Arise,
O heart of love,
Confront all within me that is not whole.
Deliver me from deadly fears and doubts.
Shine your light into my darkness.
May my heart receive the bounty of your love.
May my children and their children walk with you in gratitude and joy.
For I shall behold your face in truth.
When I am fully awake,
I shall dwell in the house of love and peace and joy.
And as I read these words again,
I invite you to be aware of any that resonate with you,
That capture your attention.
Welcome them and let them bring you their gift.
Listen to my heart,
O love divine.
Hear the cry within me.
Heed my prayer from lips that would utter truth.
For in you do I seek justice.
Be thou my eyes that I may see with clarity.
If you try my heart,
If you visit me by night,
If you test me,
You will discover my only desire is to draw closer to you.
I see the injustice and the oppression piercing the hearts of your people.
Be thou my feet that I may walk along your paths,
That I may be a benevolent presence on life's highway.
I call upon you knowing you will answer me,
Heart of my heart.
Incline your ear to me.
Hear my words.
Wonderously show your steadfast love.
O love divine,
You walk beside me giving me strength to face the fears that dwell within.
Keep me as the apple of your eye.
Hide me in the shadow of your wings from all that would separate me from your love.
Open my heart that compassion may be my companion,
Where I meet pride humble me,
Where I meet anger calm my fears,
Where I meet injustice cause me to act in love's way.
May I be as gentle as the doe,
As fearless as the lion,
As faithful as the dog.
Arise O heart of love.
Confront all within me that is not whole.
Deliver me from deadly fears and doubts.
Shine your light into my darkness.
May my heart receive the bounty of your love.
May my children and their children walk with you in gratitude and joy.
For I shall behold your face in truth.
When I am fully awake I shall dwell in the house of love and peace and joy.
I encourage you to linger with these words.
To let them bring their offering.
To sit a while and receive them where you need them,
Where you need them to minister and bring you their gift.
May you be blessed with grace and love and joy.
Amen.
