Sunday, September 7, 2008

Lectio Divina - Two


Psalm 88:1-9, from the NRSV version of the Bible

O LORD, God of my salvation, when, at night, I cry out in your presence,
let my prayer come before you; incline your ear to my cry.
For my soul is full of troubles, and my life draws near to Sheol.
I am counted among those who go down to the Pit; I am like those who have no help,
like those forsaken among the dead, like the slain that lie in the grave, like those whom you remember no more, for they are cut off from your hand.
You have put me in the depths of the Pit, in the regions dark and deep.
Your wrath lies heavy upon me, and you overwhelm me with all your waves. Selah
You have caused my companions to shun me; you have made me a thing of horror to them. I am shut in so that I cannot escape;
my eye grows dim through sorrow. Every day I call on you, O LORD; I spread out my hands to you.


1 comment:

Lindsay Boyer said...

I think at one time I would have had difficulty reading this passage because I would have focussed on the phrase about God’s wrath and felt frightened of God. Today as I read the passage what stands out for me is the phrase, “I spread out my hands to you.” This passage encourages me by suggesting that I can continue to pray to God even when I feel like I am in a hell realm, when I feel like an abandoned corpse. Even then prayer is still possible.

Loving God, please help me to remember to turn towards you in prayer, even when I feel crushed by life.