A Lectio Divina meditation on Psalm 39 from Nan Merrill’s book Psalms for Praying

Experience stillness and in the quiet hear what God is offering from these rich and hope-filled words.

I prayed, “Be Thou my voice,

that I may not err with

my tongue;

I will remain mute, so long

as my fears assail me.”

I was silent in my ignorance,

I held my peace to no avail;

My distress grew worse,

my heart burned within me.

As I mused, the fire burned;

Finally, I spoke with my tongue.

“O Loving Presence, You are with us

to the end,

Whatever the measure of our days;

our life passes by as the

blinking of an eye!

For the gift of life fades too

soon away,

yet how precious are we

in your sight!

Surely your Plan for us is

written on our hearts!

Surely your angels stand ready

to guide us on our way!

Surely there is nothing to fear, for 

You abide with us; You 

await patiently for us to 

awaken to your Love.”

And now, O Loving Friend, for what

do I wait?

My hope is in your guidance.

Forgive me for all my mistakes;

let me not walk in ignorance!

I stand silent before You, I hold

my tongue;

to You I turn in repentance.

Remove the blemishes from my heart;

for I am weary of guilt.

When you blot out the darkness 

of sin,

burning it with refining fire, 

Surely, I am made new, redeemed by

your Love!

Hear my prayer, O Listening Heart,

give ear to my cry;

wash away my tears

with your peace!

For I am but a passing guest,

A sojourner on this earth 

as in all generations.

Look upon me with mercy, that I

may know the joy

of living in the realm of Love,

now and in the Life to come. 

Amen.