Lesson 10, Series 2, Psalm 27, Lectio Divina

Psalm 27 (NIV)

¹ The Lord is my light and my salvation —
whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the stronghold of my life—
of whom shall I be afraid?

² When the wicked advance against me
to devour me,
it is my enemies and my foes
who will stumble and fall.
³ Though an army besiege me,
my heart will not fear;
though war break out against me,
even then I will be confident.

⁴ One thing I ask from the Lord,
this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord
all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the Lord
and to seek him in his temple.
⁵ For in the day of trouble
he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent
and set me high upon a rock.

⁶ Then my head will be exalted
above the enemies who surround me;
at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy;
I will sing and make music to the Lord.

⁷ Hear my voice when I call, Lord;
be merciful to me and answer me.
⁸ My heart says of you, “Seek his face!”
Your face, Lord, I will seek.
⁹ Do not hide your face from me,
do not turn your servant away in anger;
you have been my helper.
Do not reject me or forsake me,
God my Savior.
¹⁰ Though my father and mother forsake me,
the Lord will receive me.
¹¹ Teach me your way, Lord;
lead me in a straight path
because of my oppressors.
¹² Do not turn me over to the desire of my foes,
for false witnesses rise up against me,
spouting malicious accusations.

¹³ I remain confident of this:
I will see the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living.
¹⁴ Wait for the Lord;
be strong and take heart
and wait for the Lord.

Preparation:  Sit in a comfortable position with your Bible, journal and pen.  As you prepare for this lesson, ask the Lord to speak to you through the words of this Psalm.  Open your mind and heart to the words you are about to hear.

Lectio:  Read through the entire Psalm 27 slowly, marking the sections which stand out to you.  As you read through a second time, highlight or note in your journal the words or phrases that particularly draw your attention.

Meditatio:  Meditate on the words or phrases which you highlighted.  Repeat them over and over, asking the Holy Spirit to speak through them to you.  Note in your journal any questions or insights that arise in your meditation.

Oratio:  Spend the beginning of your prayer time hearing what God has to say to you.  Listen carefully to the words of the Psalm that have been meaningful to you.  Ask God to reveal to you how these words can bring healing, hope and renewed purpose into your life.

Contemplatio:  Finish by rereading verses 13 and 14.  Pray for the confidence of these words, and rest in the knowledge that those who wait upon the Lord are never disappointed.