Lectio Divina

Lectio Divina is Latin for divine reading. Sounds weird doesn't it. I thought so at first as well. But we had to do this as a part of our Christian Studies unit at uni. It is a way of praying with Scripture that calls one to study, ponder, listen and finally, pray from God's Word.

So here is a typical pattern to follow:

1. Read the passage aloud, becoming generally aware of what it is saying. Then sit in silence (with eyes closed) to just let the Word dwell in you richly.
Colossians 3:16 "Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts."

2. Read the passage aloud a second time. This time be aware to the key words or phrases that speaks to you. Again sit in silence for a while and notice how you are responding in the presence of those words.

3. Read the passage a third time. Speak out the word or phrase that is speaking to your inner person.

4. Now take time to sit deeply with what is speaking to you. When you are ready record your thoughts in a journal or notebook.

Lectio Divina - Psalm 34 (NIV)
 ¹ I will extol the LORD at all times;
   his praise will always be on my lips.
² I will glory in the LORD;
   let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
³ Glorify the LORD with me;
   let us exalt his name together.
 ⁴ I sought the LORD, and he answered me;
   he delivered me from all my fears.
⁵ Those who look to him are radiant;
   their faces are never covered with shame.
⁶ This poor man called, and the LORD heard him;
   he saved him out of all his troubles.
⁷ The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him,
   and he delivers them.
 ⁸ Taste and see that the LORD is good;
   blessed is the one who takes refuge in him.
⁹ Fear the LORD, you his holy people,
   for those who fear him lack nothing.
¹⁰ The lions may grow weak and hungry,
   but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.
¹¹ Come, my children, listen to me;
   I will teach you the fear of the LORD.
¹² Whoever of you loves life
   and desires to see many good days,
¹³ keep your tongue from evil
   and your lips from telling lies.
¹⁴ Turn from evil and do good;
   seek peace and pursue it.
 ¹⁵ The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous,
   and his ears are attentive to their cry;
¹⁶ but the face of the LORD is against those who do evil,
   to blot out their name from the earth.
 ¹⁷ The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them;
   he delivers them from all their troubles.
¹⁸ The LORD is close to the brokenhearted
   and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
 ¹⁹ The righteous person may have many troubles,
   but the LORD delivers him from them all;
²⁰ he protects all his bones,
   not one of them will be broken.
 ²¹ Evil will slay the wicked;
   the foes of the righteous will be condemned.
²² The LORD will rescue his servants;
   no one who takes refuge in him will be condemned.


For me the phrases that stood out to me the most were:
- 'his praise will always be on my lips'
-  'Glorify the LORD with me;
   let us exalt his name together.'
-  'those who seek the LORD lack no good thing'