Psalm 38: A Lectio Divina

A gentle meditation reading Psalm 38 from Nan Merrill's Psalms for Praying. Before beginning, there is time to settle and come to stillness, then, as the Psalm is read there is an opportunity to welcome the words or phrases that stand out to you to be received deeply and offer their gift. This version of the Psalms is not a direct translation but is kind, gentle, and intimate.

Transcript

Hello friends and welcome to this Lectio Divina on Psalm 38. As usual reading from Psalms for Praying, An Invitation to Wholeness by Nan Merrill. Reading this Psalm twice. So as we prepare I invite you to settle, To become comfortable, To do what you need to do in order to come to a deeper place of stillness and rest. I want to give you a few moments to surrender, To let go of anything that you're carrying, To offer your burdens, To know that as you do they are seen as prayers and responded to. I invite you to slowly bring your attention inward, To be aware of your body in the room, To notice your breathing and to close your eyes if this is helpful. Receive the grace and the gift to be present here and now. Know that nothing else is needed but to be here in this moment. As I read this Psalm for the first time I invite you to simply let the words come without attaching to any in particular. Psalm 38. O Beloved in your mercy forgive me, In your compassion raise me up. For arrows of fear pierce my heart and guilt weighs heavy upon me. I live in confusion, Fear and despair because of my illusions. My body responds with illness because of my stubbornness. Ignorance casts me into darkness. I grope in every direction searching in vain. Because of foolishness my heart has turned to stone. I am utterly bowed down, Overcome with remorse. I spend my days in mourning and pray for mercy throughout the night. I acknowledge my weakness, O loving presence. Illness has overtaken me. My energy is depleted, My spirit crushed. I groan under the tumult of my heart. Beloved all my longing is known to you, My sighing is not hidden from you. My heart throbs endlessly, My strength veils me, Even the light of my eyes it has also disappeared. My friends and companions have no time for me, My family stays at a distance. The tempter knows well my weakness and lays a snare in my path. Those who choose the darkness are ever at my door seeking my company. Like someone who is deaf I do not hear, Like one who is dumb I do not speak. Yes, I pretend not to hear because I am afraid to rebuke those who lead me astray. For you alone, Beloved, Do I wait. You alone, O gracious one will answer my cry. I pray be my strength, Uphold me when I am weak and paralysed with fear. For I seem ready to fall, My pain is always with me. I confess my shortcomings, I am sorry for my transgression. No longer will I listen and follow the ego's wily ways. They lead only to despair and separate me from love. I feel like a child again, Ready to learn life's lessons of peace. I choose to walk in the light. I no longer feel separated from you, O beloved. I know I am one with all. You have rolled away the stone from my heart. O love, My beloved friend. So on this second and final reading I invite you to notice any words or phrases that capture your attention. Notice what they are offering or inviting. Notice the gift that they are bringing you and receive that gift to the places that need it. O beloved, In your mercy forgive me. In your compassion raise me up. For arrows of fear pierce my heart and guilt weighs heavy upon me. I live in confusion, Fear and despair. Because of my illusions, My body responds with illness because of my stubbornness. Ignorance casts me into darkness. I grope in every direction, Searching in vain. Because of foolishness my heart has turned to stone. I am utterly bowed down, Overcome with remorse. I spend my days in mourning and pray for mercy throughout the night. I acknowledge my weakness, O loving presence. Illness has overtaken me. My energy is depleted, My spirit crushed. I groan under the tumult of my heart. Beloved, All my longing is known to you. My sighing is not hidden from you. My heart throbs endlessly, My strength fails me. Even the light of my eyes, It also has disappeared. My friends and companions have no time for me. My family stays at a distance. The tempter knows well my weakness and lays a snare in my path. Those who choose the darkness are ever at my door, Seeking my company. Like someone who is deaf, I do not hear. Like one who is dumb, I do not speak. Yes, I pretend not to hear because I am afraid to rebuke those who lead me astray. For you alone, Beloved, Do I wait. You alone, O gracious one will answer my cry. I pray be my strength. Uphold me when I am weak and paralysed with fear. For I seem ready to fall. My pain is always with me. I confess my shortcomings. I am sorry for my transgression. No longer will I listen and follow the ego's wily ways. They lead only to despair and separate me from love. I feel like a child again, Ready to learn life's lessons of peace. I choose to walk in the light. I no longer feel separated from you, O beloved. I know I am one with all. You have rolled away the stone from my heart. O love, My beloved friend. Do re-listen to these words if you want to linger some more and receive more deeply the gift that they're offering. May you be strengthened and find hope. May you know the stone rolled away from your heart. May you know that you are not separated from your beloved but are one together. Blessings, Grace and hope to you. Amen.

Reviews

That was an incredible Spiritual experience, thank you.

Hauntingly beautiful that speaks to my soul while I lie awake in the early morning hours Namaste