A Lectio Divina meditation on Psalm 59 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

Awaken me from my fears,

O my Beloved,

give me strength to face them

as they rise up within me;

Let your Love envelop me,

and direct my thoughts to 

peaceful paths.

Where I have erred in thought and

spoken in anger,

where I have acted without love,

I ask for forgiveness.

Rouse yourself, come to my aid,

heed my cry!

For You are the Compassionate One, 

Comforter to all who ask.

You come to those who seek You;O

O Mender of broken hearts,

create a new heart within me.

I long to sleep at night in peace,

to awaken to a new dawn.

Too long have my fears, my guilt,

pursued me,

whispering lies in my ears

and evoking beguiling images

of illusionary darkness 

Yes, In You, O my Beloved, I find

rest; I am strong.

You remember not my erring ways,

Your forgiveness is forever.

O my Strength, I will sing praises

to You;

for You are my Rock.

With steadfast Love, You stand

with me;

You teach me to face my fears;

they disappear in the Light.

Cast them not our, but help me

face them;

give me courage to let them go

one by one,

O Comforter, my Strength!

Let me make amends and start anew;

help me grow in wisdom and

understanding.

For the havoc that my fears wield

within me,

turns chaos in my life,

wounding others and leading to 

a living death.

Then, as I become free of fear

I will live in harmony,

Love will shine through, and

people will know that You live

in my heart.

At night I will rest in the Heart 

of the Beloved,

by Love.

My thoughts will become prayers

offered from the Silence

deep within.

O, how I will sing of your kindness;

I will sing aloud of your

Love for All!

For You have been my rock

and my refuge in the days

of my distress.

O Blessed Heart, I sing my songs

of love to You,

for You, O Beloved, have

renewed my life;

You have set me free to live

with gratitude and joy!