Enjoying God’s World
Welcome to this evening’s Quiet Space. We begin and end with words from the seventeenth century poet and spiritual writer Thomas Traherne, and then are invited to spend time reflecting on words from Psalm 104, accompanied by photographs from this spring, allowing space between each section.
You never Enjoy the World aright, till the Sea itself floweth in your Veins, till you are Clothed with the Heavens, and Crowned with the Stars: and perceive your self to be the Sole Heir of the whole World…
Thomas Traherne “First Century of Meditation 29”
Psalm 104 verses 1-6
Bless the Lord, O my soul.
O Lord my God, you are very great.
You are clothed with honour and majesty,
wrapped in light as with a garment.
You stretch out the heavens like a tent,
you set the beams of your chambers on the waters,
you make the clouds your chariot,
you ride on the wings of the wind,
you make the winds your messengers,
fire and flame your ministers.
You set the earth on its foundations,
so that it will never be shaken.
Verses 14-23
You cause the grass to grow for the cattle,
and plants for people to use,
to bring forth food from the earth,
and wine to gladden the human heart,
oil to make the face shine,
and bread to strengthen the human heart.
The trees of the Lord are watered abundantly,
the cedars of Lebanon that he planted.
In them the birds build their nests;
the stork has its home in the fir trees.
The high mountains are for the wild goats;
the rocks are a refuge for the conies.
You have made the moon to mark the seasons;
the sun knows its time for setting.
You make darkness, and it is night,
when all the animals of the forest come creeping out.
The young lions roar for their prey,
seeking their food from God.
When the sun rises, they withdraw and lie down in their dens.
People go out to their work and to their labour until the evening.
Verses 24-25, 31-34
O Lord, how manifold are your works!
In wisdom you have made them all;
the earth is full of your creatures.
Yonder is the sea, great and wide,
creeping things innumerable are there,
living things both small and great.
May the glory of the Lord endure forever;
may the Lord rejoice in his works –
who looks on the earth and it trembles,
who touches the mountains and they smoke.
I will sing to the Lord as long as I live;
I will sing praise to God while I have being.
May my meditation be pleasing to him,
for I rejoice in the Lord.
Your Enjoyment of the World is never right, till evry Morning you awake in Heaven: see your self in your fathers Palace: and look upon the Skies and the Earth and the Air, as Celestial Joys: having such a Reverend Esteem of all, as if you were among the Angels.
Thomas Traherne “First Century of Meditation 28”
What makes the sun to rise?
The power of God.
What makes the seed to grow?
The love of God.
What makes the wind to blow?
The Spirit of God.
Power of God protect us.
Love of God lead us.
Spirit of God strengthen us.
In all of life
And all creation.
David Adam “Tides and Seasons”