Jenny's Psalm Reflections: 52 verse 8

Today’s verse is Psalm 52 verse 8

“I am like a green olive tree in the house of God. I trust in the steadfast love of God for ever and ever.”

Background:

Psalm 52 is attributed to David. In it, he criticises those who use their talents for evil deeds. These are the ones who perhaps laugh at what are now thought of as old-fashioned virtues, such as faithfulness, prudence, quiet content, modesty and gentleness. These are all pushed aside in this age of rushing and instant demand to be replaced by the “new virtues” of speed, instant gratification, and individualism.

However, the Psalm moves on to present a beautiful image of an olive tree in verse 8. This represents the constant loyalty of God and how we can be rooted and totally reliant on him in our times of need. We can take time to be nourished and grow slowly and weigh up decisions carefully. This trust in God will lead to real fruits of peace, mercy and love, and we need never worry about God’s love and support of us if we only ask him to help us grow. 

Meditation

1. Find Something to focus on 

Try and find a branch or even better, an olive, to focus your eyes on!

2. FIND A QUIET PLACE. 

Make sure that you are in a quiet place. Sit comfortably but alert – feet flat on the floor, back pushed hard against the back of the chair. Start your reflection with hands cupped open ready to be open to God’s presence.

3. Focus on your breathing.

Pay attention to in-breaths and out-breaths. You may think of breathing in God’s life and peace and breathing out any tension.

4. Be aware of your body.

Let your aches and pains be there. Rest your hands in your lap; you don’t need to be doing anything with them now. Rest your feet on the floor; you don’t need to go anywhere. Shrug your shoulders, ease your neck. Take time to become still…

5. Say the verses aloud to yourself.

Say verse 8 to yourself and don’t try to analyse it. 

6. Make a note of anything you want to remember.

Make a note of anything you want to remember during this meditation.  Close the prayer with your hands cupped open as you finish with the prayer below.

7. Finish with this prayer:

Faithful and steadfast God, nourish me as I ask to seek your way through the crossroads of life. Through prayer and the reading of the Bible, give me my daily bread and help me to flourish. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord, Amen.