Musings and Meditations

I sing your praises, O God,
For you called me out of darkness,
When I was in the depths of despair,
You lifted me up and taught me to hope again.

Now I can rejoice because I know you are with me always.
You are with me in joy and in sorrow;
Celebrating with me in the light;
And showing me the gift in the dark.

You have helped me to find a strength within myself,
That I didn’t know that I possessed;
A strength rooted in your love,
That guides me in all I do.

When I was lost and cried out for help,
You found me and sent people to help light my way.
Use me now, O God, as you see fit,
To light the way for others;
So all may sing your praises!

For the original Psalm visit https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+30&version=NRSV

Open your mind, to see God at work in creation.
Open your hearts, to hear God’s call.

God moves through all things;
Connecting all things;
Inspiring all things.

Listen, do you hear?
Do you hear God’s voice in the gently whispering wind?
Do you hear God’s voice in the softly burbling stream?
Do you hear God’s voice in the encapsulating stillness of the forest?

Listen, do you hear?
Do you hear God’s voice in the warm crackling of a fire?
Do you hear God’s voice in the bustle of movement in the city centre?
Do you hear God’s voice in the unique and diverse ways animals communicate?

Listen, do you hear?
Do you hear God’s voice in powerful pounding of a waterfall?
Do you hear God’s voice in the loud crack of thunder?
Do you hear God’s voice in the wail of an electric guitar?

Listen, do you hear?
God’s voice is all around us;
Connecting and uniting;
Comforting and guiding.

Listen, do you hear?
What is God calling you to?

For the original Psalm visit https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+29&version=NRSV

God you are my centre and my guide;
Without you I would be lost.
Once again I look to you for direction;
For help walking your path of love.

Because there is so much hate working its way into our world;
Political violence and unrest;
People making selfish choices in this time of pandemic
without thinking about how they impact everyone around them;
Discrimination against people because of their race, religion, gender, sexuality, ability…
Discrimination against people for simply being who you made them to be.
And the people spreading this hate and inciting this violence
are claiming to do it in your name!
It angers me to the very centre of my soul!
To the depth of me being!
How can people doing these unspeakable acts of hate
think they are working in your name?!
Help them to see the error in their ways,
And cleanse my heart of the anger taking root in me,
So that I may respond in love
and help to dismantle these places of discrimination.

Praise and thanksgiving to you God,
For I know you hear my prayers,
And this time of trial will not last for ever.

Though there are many places suffering in the world,
You are there with us,
Inspiring good works and facilitating change.

For the original Psalm visit https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+28&version=NRSV

God you pulled me from the darkness;
So, what do I have to fear with you by my side?
You are my strength when I am weak;
My courage when I am afraid.

I still see so much evil in the world;
People hurting others, denying their rights,
and trying to assert dominance over the marginalized,
But I trust their reign of terror will not last.

In world that cries out for division;
I still hope for unity.
Though we still to often resort to violence to settle our differences;
I trust that we can and will change for the better.

Because your Love is still at work in the world;
Inspiring people to do good works,
To speak out against injustices,
And give voice to those who were silenced!

I know it is a road that won’t be easy;
I know it won’t happen overnight;
But if we trust in your goodness,
And are embolden by your strength,
We can make positive change!

Help me, O God, to be a part of that change.
Cleanse my heart of hatred and sin,
So I am not tempted to descend to the level of the people spreading hate.

Teach me to live my life in your love;
To spread joy, not hate;
To help others see the place of good in the world;
So, we can help that goodness to spread.

Give me the strength and courage
to wait for your guidance,
So that each step I take
leads me closer to you.

Amen!

For the original Psalm visit https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+27&version=NRSV

Support my claims, O God,
that I have tried followed you path truly,
and trust your guidance without question.
Search my heart,
and let in show my unending love for you,
and my faithfulness to your plan.

I cannot abide people
who spread hate in your name.
I hate to see people hurting one another,
and will not stand by as people doing wrong.

I try to maintain innocence from these ill deeds,
and worship you for your guidance,
singing songs of praise and thanksgiving
for the example you have set.

God, I love the path you have chosen for me
calling me to care and compassion.
Help me to live a life of love
so that I may follow in your righteousness.

As long as I have you to guide me
I will walk truly with confidence.
You set a clear path before me,
and for that I am truly grateful.

For the original Psalm visit https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=psalm+26&version=NRSV