I, Sarah, chose Psalm 19:7-14, the alternate psalm from the lectionary for us to listen in together this week. I was drawn by God’s teaching everywhere, reviving our souls. The Hebrew word for soul is nephesh, which encompasses all of me (us) — mind, emotions, desires, soul, our very life. All of God’s teaching calls to us, returning us to God’s loving embrace. As we listened in community, we shared the sweetness of God calling to each of us. I pray that as you listen or read, you will hear God’s call to you.
Claudia shares her prayerful conversation with God as she meditated on the words of the psalm.
Let the words of my mouth
and the meditations of my heart
Be acceptable in thy sight.
Another take on this, riffing on the Hebrew….
Let the poetry of my mouth
and the music of my heart
Make you smile and laugh.
Obedience.
A fraught word for me….
But the chance to make you smile?
I’ll sign up for that all day long.
May it be so. Amen.
Psalm 19: 7-14 ESV
The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul;
the decrees of the Lord are sure, making wise the simple;
the precepts of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is clear, enlightening the eyes;
the fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever;
the ordinances of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb.
Moreover, by them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
But who can detect one’s own errors? Clear me from hidden faults.
Keep back your servant also from the insolent;
do not let them have dominion over me.
Then I shall be blameless and innocent of great transgression.
Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable to you, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
For Reflection and Prayer:
Was there a word, a phrase, image, or feeling that ‘shimmered’ as you listened? Allow it
to land in your heart. Stay with it. Savor it.
Reflect on what you heard. What effect does it have on you? What meaning does it hold
for you? What does the Holy Spirit seem to be conveying to you? Talk it over in your
prayer. Perhaps you want to draw or color your prayer or journal the conversation.
As the time of prayer comes to a close, share some moments of quiet with Jesus,
simply resting safely in his presence.
Psalm 19: 7-14 – The Complete Psalms
Your teaching is everywhere, reviving the soul.
Your testimony is faithful, enlightening those who do not understand.
Your providence can be easily seen, making the heart leap with joy.
The tasks you ask us to do are revealed clearly,
making the eyes sparkle with light.
Awe of you is pure, lasting forever.
Your decisions are true; taken together, they prove righteous.
They are more valuable than gold, more than refined gold in abundance.
better than the sweetest honey, sweeter than fresh drippings of the hive.
Your servant is brightened in performing them;
keeping them alive brings intrinsic reward.
Unwilling sins, who can glimpse them?
My hidden faults, wash from me their stain.
From purposeful acts of transgression, hold back your servant’s hand.
Don’t let them rule over my reason.
Then I will be wholehearted, cleansed from outright revolt.
May the words of my mouth and the contemplations of my heart
be in keeping with your will,
God, my Rock and my Redeemer.
