The Eyes of my Heart

My heart’s eyes behold

Your Divine Glory

from whence does my help come ?

My help comes from You,

Who created heaven and earth.

-Psalm 121 (Psalms for Praying)

From time to time I like to read the Psalms from a new translation.  This helps keep alive an attentive reading within my heart because, while the sentiments are familiar, the words challenge and reveal some new ways of praying the Psalms.

The translation by Nan Merrill-Psalms for Praying-is more interpretation than translation and it is pointed at a contemplative reading of the Psalms as an invitation to silence.

This reading of Psalm 121 reminds me that it is not just my eyes that see the glory of creation, but the eyes of my heart, which respond to a deeper presence within the scene that my eyes may be taking in.

The eyes of my heart are the place of enlightenment.  This is where I have a dawning perception that the world is not just what I see and perceive, but there is always more going on than I can comprehend.

This deep seeing is a place of mystery, as well.  And so, I respond to the question about help in the Psalm.  I know that my help comes from the Lord.  I don’t know how it will come, or when it will come, but I know it will come.

The One who made heaven and earth, which includes me, knows what I need.

The Psalmist’s unsaid question is simply this, ‘Do I trust the Lord of the Universe to care for me ?’

And, for me, this is where the prayer really begins.  When my fear and my hope meet, a spark of desire is created that fuels my prayer for a moment or a lifetime.

I need to ask the real question then.  The one that is simmering to be cried out.  The one that is uttered before the Psalm begins.

What is your question ?

Blessings,

Debra