Heart Words

Sitting with one of the Psalms is often something which requires a longer period of time than we might have been prepared to give in the beginning.  And sometimes, it is not the Word received in the moment of the first reading which blesses, but one that comes after a day of carrying the memory of the reading.  Time is what is necessary to really hear the Word our heart is longing to hear.  Actually, the Psalms are like other parts of the Scripture in this respect.  It often takes more than a moment to really hear.

 

The 66th Psalm is one of those which teases the mind with so many possibilities for a Word from God.  It is one that begins with a sweeping picture which brings into view "all the earth" (Psalm 66:1), and then moves to a place where the community of God's people are brought into view.  "Bless our God, O people," the Psalmist writes. (Psalm 66:8)  Finally, the sweeping picture is replaced by a single soul standing before God giving witness to His goodness.  "Come and hear, all you who fear God, and I will tell what He has done for me."  (Psalm 66:16)  Where is it that our heart responds?  Where is it that God invites us to stop and stay awhile?

 

These kinds of questions always seem to be out there as we begin reading what David had in his heart.  The heart words of the writer echo the heart words of so many of us.  When we read the Psalms, we are not really looking for theological correctness and precise teaching, but a word which touches the deep places of our heart.  As we read and listen for God's invitation to stop and meditate for a time on a piece of a larger passage, we are positioning ourselves to hear a Word from God for which our own heart is searching.