Lectio Divina: Psalm 42

A Lectio Divina meditation on Psalm 42 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.

As a hart longs for flowing streams,

so my soul for You

O Beloved.

My soul thirst for the Beloved,

for the Living Water.

When may I come and behold 

your face?

Tears have been my only nourishment

day and night,

While friends ask continually,

“Why do you seem so lost

and forlorn?”

All this I remembered,

as I poured out my soul;

How I went out among the throng,

Proceeding to the House of Prayer;

With loud voice we gave You praise

and acclamation,

a multitude proclaiming gratitude

and joy.

Why are you cast down, O my soul,

and why are you disquieted 

within me?

My hope is in the Beloved, my

strength and my joy,

O my soul, open the door to Love!

My soul is cast down within me,

yet I remember You

From my mother’s womb to maturity,

through all the days of my life.

Deep calls to deep 

at the thunder of your waterfalls;

All your waves and your billows

have washed over me.

By day You lead me in steadfast 

Love;

at night your song is within me,

prayer from the Heart of my Heart.

I say to the Beloved, the Blessed One,

“Why have You forgotten me?

Why go I mourning because of

the oppression of fear?”

As with a deadly wound in

My body,

I feel the pain of war and injustice;

while the powerful seem to destroy, 

the innocent seem of no account.

O my soul, let not the quagmire of war

keep me from radiating your peace,

your love and light to the world.

My hope is in You, O Spirit of Truth;

be my strength and my guide.

O my soul, let us celebrate the Oneness

of all Creation!