Meditation: Cosmic Glory (Psalm 8)

O Lord, our Lord,

    the wonder of you shines in everything we see!

The glory of all creation sings your praises;

    it is sung in the joy of children and babies.

The beauty of your creation rebuffs the half-hearted;

    your loveliness catches the breath of each who doubts you.

When I look at the sky, which you have made, 

   at the moon and the stars, which you set in their places—

what are human beings, that you care for us;

    mere mortals, that you bother with us?

Yet you made us only a little less than the angels;

    you bless us with glory and honour.

You appointed us caretakers over everything you made;

    guardians of your creation:

    the fertile plains and bare mountains, the air and waters, 

    sheep and cattle, birds and insects, and the creatures in the seas.

O Lord, our Lord,

    your greatness is seen in all the world you made for us!

Suggestions for meditation
Always begin by offering your time to God: something like "My loving God, I love you with my whole heart and above all things. I give you this time when I am reaching out to you" and then a few moments reminding yourself of some of the blessings God has given you - the clear signs of God's love for you.

Read the mediation over slowly a couple of times.

Listen for Jesus' personal message for you.

If you would prefer a Bible reading I suggest Psalm 8, 3-9

When I look at the sky, which you have made,

    at the moon and the stars, which you set in their places—
    what are human beings, that you think of them;
    mere mortals, that you care for them?

Yet you made them inferior only to yourself;
    you crowned them with glory and honour.
You appointed them rulers over everything you made;
    you placed them over all creation:

    sheep and cattle, and the wild animals too;
    the birds and the fish
    and the creatures in the seas.

O Lord, our Lord,

    your greatness is seen in all the world!

1. Read this passage or the meditation slowly a couple of times.
2. What word of phrase jumps out to speak to you?
3. Why? Try to put yourself into those words. Maybe imagine Jesus speaking, and reply.
4. Then spend 5, or 10, or 20 minutes with those words, or the word GLORY. 
5. You might want to begin the meditation using the breathing exercise I suggest in We have two minds. After a minute or two focused on your breathing, move your focus to the word/s you have chosen. 

Each time your attention moves away from the word/s, push the distraction gently aside and return to the word ("without the intervention of analytical thought" as The Cloud of Unknowing puts it).

You may need a countdown clock. 

At the end thank God, and return to your day.