A Lectio Divina meditation on Psalm 65 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

Praise belongs to You, O Indwelling

Beloved, and

to You we commit our lives,

to You who hear our prayers! 

To You we come when we go astray;

When our transgressions fill us

with guilt,

You do forgive us.

Blessed are those who draw near

to You,

those who dwell in your Heart!

Awaken us to your kindness,

enter into the Sacred Chapel 

Of our heart!

Through the pain and suffering, your

presence sustains us,

O merciful One, our Comforter,

You, the hope of all the earth to

the distant shore that brings us Home.

By your Light the foundations were

created being guided by Love;

You still the roaring of the

seas,

the pounding of waves,

the tumult of the peoples,

So that those who dwell even at

earth’s outer bounds

recognise and reverence You.

At the rise of each morning, and 

as the sun sets at night,

the people bow their heads

in reverent gratitude.

You visited the earth and slaked

our thirst,

offering Living Streams of

water;

You fed the hungry,

and taught of Love’s way.

You watered hardened souls,

filled with stone and weeds,

softening them with kindness,

and blessing their growth.

You crowned your years with

abandonment, 

inviting all to Eternal Life.

In the desert flowers come forth,

the pastures flourish with

fruit and grain;

Creation’s diversity is glorious!

May all people honour these gifts

with joyful song

while walking the path of Love.