As we come to attune our ears and hearts towards the text this week, we are beckoned to notice God’s glory announced in the natural world around us and the holy Scriptures before us.
You might take your time and your listening outdoors. Allow the voice of Jesus to intersect with the creation your body is immersed in. Notice what captures your attention, or brings a sense of awe and wonder.
What do you sense inside as you pause to take it in?
You might linger with that for a while, allowing whatever grace and love is there for you to under-gird and strengthen you. These times of consolation can feed us when our souls feel hungry, dry, and weary. Let us not rush past all that is given to sustain us with hope.
All glory be to God!
Psalm 19 (NIV)
The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they reveal knowledge.
They have no speech, they use no words;
no sound is heard from them.
Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.
In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.
It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,
like a champion rejoicing to run his course.
It rises at one end of the heavens
and makes its circuit to the other;
nothing is deprived of its warmth.
The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.
The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.
The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever.
The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous.
They are more precious than gold, than much pure gold;
they are sweeter than honey, than honey from the honeycomb.
By them your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward.
But who can discern their own errors?
Forgive my hidden faults.
Keep your servant also from willful sins; may they not rule over me.
Then I will be blameless, innocent of great transgression.
May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart
be pleasing in your sight, Lord, my Rock and my Redeemer.
For Reflection and Prayer:
Was there a word, phrase or image which caught your attention you as you listened to or slowly read the text? Quietly reflect on this with Jesus.
Notice any felt sense that seems to emerge as you linger with this passage. It might come as a bodily feeling, emotion, metaphor, picture, gesture or sound. See if you can describe it and simply be with it with patient curiosity. Be open to whatever more might emerge.
Perhaps you might want to draw, color or journal your conversation.
As the time of prayer comes to a close, share some quiet moments with Jesus, simply resting safely in his presence.
Psalm 19 (Psalms for Praying by Nan Merrill)
The heavens declare the glory of the Creator;
the firmament proclaims the handiwork of Love.
Day to day speech pours forth and night to night knowledge is revealed.
There is no speech nor are there words; their voice is not heard;
Yet does their music resound through all the earth,
and their words echo to the ends of the world.
In them a tent for the sun is set, which is like a bride and groom
on their wedding night as they sing love’s song and celebrate the dance of life.
Its rising is in eternity, and its circuit to infinity;
Nothing is hidden from the sunlight.
The law of Love is perfect; reviving the soul;
The testimony of Love is sure, making wise the simple;
The precepts of Love are right, rejoicing the heart;
The authority of Love is pure, enlightening the eyes;
The spirit of Love is glorious, enduring forever;
The rites of Love are true, awakening compassion.
More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.
Moreover, by them are the living guided;
in keeping them there is great reward.
But who can discern their own weaknesses?
Cleanse me, O Love, from all my hidden faults.
Keep me from boldly acing in error; let my fears
and illusions not have dominion over me!
Then shall I become a beneficial presence,
freely and fully surrendered to your Love.
Let the words of my mouth
and the meditations of my heart
find favor in your Heart
O my Beloved, my strength and my joy!