Hello and welcome to Psalm 52 and I'm recording again in the garden.
So do welcome the sounds of nature,
Maybe an airplane or a car going by.
We have a stream running through the garden so you may be able to hear that but welcome these sounds of as part of this meditation,
As part of this Lectio Divina experience.
And before we come to the words I invite you to that place of stillness,
Taking some deeper breaths,
Taking these moments to pause,
To come into your body away from the day so far and from what's coming next and into that place of stillness and rest where you are found by the beloved and met with great love and kindness.
I'm going to stay silent for a few moments to allow you to experience the sounds in the garden as a way to settle.
I'm going to read the whole Psalm once and then focus in on a couple of verses that I'm going to read twice more.
So on this first reading I invite you to welcome the words and let them come without attaching to any in particular.
Why do you boast,
O proud peoples,
Of your decisions that hurt the poor?
All day long you plan exploitation.
Lies are on your tongue as you turn from truth.
You love riches more than justice,
Burying your heads in sand like the ostrich.
So you are deaf to the cries of the oppressed,
Blind to their impoverishment.
Yet justice will prevail in the end.
Your riches will turn to rags.
You will die separated from love.
Those who live in truth will know the joy of love divine.
They will see the emptiness of those who turn from love,
Who put their trust in abundant riches,
Who seek security in wealth.
Blessed are those who are like the strong oak in the house of the beloved.
Blessed are those who trust in the gentle love of the counselor and hear the voice of love.
Gratitude flows from their hearts as they walk in truth.
As they live in unity and peace in the presence of the beloved.
As I read the last few verses of this psalm I invite you to notice any words or phrases that capture your attention.
Blessed are those who are like the strong oak in the house of the beloved.
Blessed are those who trust in the gentle love of the counselor and hear the voice of love.
Gratitude flows from their hearts as they walk in truth.
As they live in unity and peace in the presence of the beloved.
This third and final reading is an opportunity to welcome those words or phrases to bring their gift to you.
Notice how they stir you,
What they invite,
How they make you feel and how you'd like to respond to them.
Blessed are those who are like the strong oak in the house of the beloved.
Blessed are those who trust in the gentle love of the counselor and hear the voice of love.
Gratitude flows from their hearts as they walk in truth.
As they live in unity and peace in the presence of the beloved.
I've decided to read the psalm one more time all the way through to give you the opportunity to really welcome and receive the words that it brings and especially those that have captured your attention.
Why do you boast,
O proud peoples,
Of your decisions that hurt the poor?
All day long you plan exploitation.
Lies are on your tongue as you turn from the truth.
You love riches more than justice,
Burying your heads in sand like the ostrich.
So you are deaf to the cries of the oppressed,
Blind to their impoverishment.
Yet justice will prevail in the end.
Your riches will turn to rags.
You will die separated from love.
Those who live in truth will know the joy of love divine.
They will see the emptiness of those who turn from love,
Who put their trust in abundant riches,
Who seek security in wealth.
Blessed are those who are like the strong oak in the house of the beloved.
Blessed are those who trust in the gentle love of the counselor and hear the voice of love.
Gratitude flows from their hearts as they walk in truth,
As they live in unity and peace in the presence of the beloved.
Be blessed my friends as you linger with these words and receive their gift.
May grace and peace and great love accompany you.
Amen.
