Hello and welcome to this Lectio Divina on Psalm 23,
The very beautiful and wonderful Psalm 23.
I'm recording outside so you may hear the sounds of nature and life happening.
I invite you to welcome those sounds as part of this meditation.
As a way to begin let's come to stillness and settle into this space.
So let yourself arrive body soul and spirit.
Be aware of where you are and let your attention come to your breath.
Following the inhale and the exhale.
Letting your shoulders drop and your body sink.
Let the day so far fall away and receive the grace to be present in this moment.
Know that you are met with divine love,
Kindness,
Compassion and acceptance.
Spend a few moments in the quiet leaning into that love,
Receiving it,
Welcoming it.
And notice how you come to this meditation.
How is your body?
How are your feelings,
Your emotions?
How are your thoughts?
So I'm going to read Psalm 23 three times.
And on this first reading I invite you to simply let the words come without attaching to any in particular.
Oh my beloved you are my shepherd I shall not want.
You bring me to green pastures for rest and lead me beside still waters renewing my spirit.
You restore my soul you lead me in the path of goodness to follow love's way.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow and of death I am not afraid.
For you are ever with me your rod and your staff they guide me.
They give me strength and comfort.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of all my fears.
You bless me with oil my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life and I shall dwell in the heart of the beloved forever.
And on this second reading I invite you to notice any words or phrases that stand out to you that capture your attention.
Oh my beloved you are my shepherd I shall not want.
You bring me to green pastures for rest and lead me beside still waters renewing my spirit.
You restore my soul you lead me in the path of goodness to follow love's way.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow and of death I am not afraid.
For you are ever with me your rod and your staff they guide me.
They give me strength and comfort.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of all my fears.
You bless me with oil my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life and I shall dwell in the heart of the beloved forever.
So on this third and final reading I invite you to welcome those words and phrases that connected with you to go deeper into your being to bring you their offering their gift to bring their invitation for them to minister to you what you need at this time.
Oh my beloved you are my shepherd I shall not want.
You bring me to green pastures for rest and lead me beside still waters renewing my spirit.
You restore my soul you lead me in the path of goodness to follow love's way.
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow and of death I am not afraid.
For you are ever with me your rod and your staff they guide me.
They give me strength and comfort.
You prepare a table before me in the presence of all my fears.
You bless me with oil my cup overflows.
Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life and I shall dwell in the heart of the beloved forever.
Amen.
I invite you to re-listen to these words to stay and linger with them if you have time.
You may want to journal you may want to simply sit with the words and phrases that resonated.
May they be a blessing to you.
May these words bring hope joy comfort and I pray that as you leave this Lectio Divina you will know grace and blessing and love.
Amen.
