Lectio Divina - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Lectio Divina - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: "The Four Moments

Lectio Divina has been likened to 'Feasting on the Word.' The four parts are first taking a bite (Lectio), then chewing on it (Meditatio). Next is the opportunity to savor the essence of it (Oratio). Finally, the Word is digested and made a part of the body (Contemplatio).

Lectio

This first moment consists in reading the scriptural passage slowly, attentively several times.

Meditatio

The Christian, gravitating around the passage or one of its words, takes it and ruminates on it, thinking in God’s presence about the text. He or she benefits from the Holy Spirit’s ministry of illumination, i.e. the work of the Holy Spirit that imparts spiritual understanding of the sacred text. It is not a special revelation from God, but the inward working of the Holy Spirit, which enables the Christian to grasp the revelation contained in the Scripture.

Oratio

This is a response to the passage by opening the heart to God. It is not an intellectual exercise, but an intuitive conversation or dialogue with God.

Contemplatio

This moment is characterized by a simple, loving focus on God. In other words, it is a beautiful, wordless contemplation of God, a joyful rest in his presence."

Imprecatory Psalms - Theopedia

Imprecatory Psalms - Theopedia: "Imprecatory Psalms
From Theopedia

Imprecatory psalms are those those psalms that contain curses or prayers for the punishment of the psalmist's enemies. To imprecate means to invoke evil upon, or curse. Psalms 7, 35, 55, 58, 59, 69, 79, 109, 137 and 139 all contain prayers for God's judgment on the psalmist's enemies. Example imprecatory statements from the Psalms follow:

* Psalm 55:15 - Let death take my enemies by surprise; let them go down alive to the grave.
* Psalm 58:6 - O God, break the teeth in their mouths.
* Psalm 69:28 - May they be blotted out of the book of life and not be listed with the righteous.
* Psalm 109:9 - May his children be fatherless and his wife a widow.
* Psalm 137:9 - How blessed will be the one who seizes your infants and dashes them against the rocks."