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Rosaries of Divine Union
A Rosary of Psalms
The Book of Psalms is certainly one of the most famous collection of religious poetry known. The 150 Psalms of the Bible have always been associated with King David, although it is unlikely the he wrote all-or even most-of them. It is believed that he encouraged the writing and singing of these songs during the First Temple period, for he is described as one who played the lyre and likely did author and sing many of the psalms.
The Hebrew word for "psalm" is "Tehillim", a word whose roots connote praise, and in large measure praise is the word that best describes these lyrical, often joyous and poetic expressions of faith and gratitude and compassion that go from the individual to the societal relationship with God.
Psalms from the Psalter (books of psalms) were chanted by monks as a part of the Divine Office throughout Christian history, and the original usage of beads or knotted rope was as an aid to praying the Divine Office's psalms. These prayer beads eventually became used for the recitation of the modern day rosary.
The psalms used in this Rosary were taken from Nan Merrill's remarkable book "Psalms for Praying", published in 1997. Library Journal had this to say about the book:
"… She has reworked the Book of Psalms in a loving, contemplative manner, which betrays none of the book's original vigor or essence. Rather, in a mode that is fresh and eloquent, Merrill's psalms evoke that deep sense of reverence and soul-stirring dialog with the divine that is often eclipsed by the fear of divine wrath in the original. Merrill has carefully crafted these verses to rekindle for contemporary readers the timeless mystery of divine love, using language that is not constrained by gender or judgment. Highly recommended for all libraries"
These psalms capture, in a remarkable way, the joy that is ours in the letting go of ourselves into the mystery that is our birthright in God as children of God. There are so many beautiful expressions of our lives in God to be found in the Psalms that choosing which ones to use for this Rosary was indeed a struggle. Yet Psalms 1, 19, 20, 21, 25 and 134 spoke so eloquently to the needs of people in seeking and praising Love that they seemed to leap out of the page and beg for inclusion here. In doing this Rosary with a group, the people in the group may choose to alternate recitation of each of the stanzas of the Psalms and thereby include many people in the Rosary session.
Prayer of Intention
Heavenly God who is our Father and our Mother, you are closer to us than our breath and the thoughts of our minds, closer to us than our feelings. As we pray this Rosary, we pray for renewal of our hearts in Love and for the needs of those who feel confused, who are without hope, and who have no one to pray for them. In this Rosary we desire that all may see You in Love, and in Love see You in all others.
General Instructions
1. Holding the cross in the right hand (if right handed), with the rest of the rosary in the left hand, bless yourself with the Invocation:
D In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.
2. Holding the cross in the right hand (if right handed), and with the rest of the rosary draped across the left hand, begin with the Psalm:
All pray together: (Psalm 134)
Come, bask in the Light of Love,
all you who would serve
the Divine Plan!
Lift up your hands to the Holy One,
singing songs of praise!
Bow down and receive blessing from
the Giver of Life!
All praises be to You,
whose Love created heaven
and earth!
Amen. +
On the first bead after the cross say the "Our Father":
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Alternate "Our Father" translated from the Aramaic (see introduction)
O Birther! Father-Mother of the Cosmos, focus your light within us-make it useful. Create your reign of unity now; Your one desire acts with ours, as in all light, so in all forms. Grant what we need each day in bread and insight. Loose the cords of mistakes binding us, as we release the strand we hold of others' guilt. Don't let surface things delude us, but free us from what holds us back. From you is born all ruling will, the power and the life to do, the song that beautifies all; from age to age it renews. Amen.
On the next three beads say the "AVE MARIA":
Hail Mary, full of grace; the Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. Amen.
5. After the third AVE MARIA hold the chain and say the GLORIA PATRI
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is how and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
6. Name the blessing and read the prayer that follow each one. Begin with the OUR FATHER on the bead just before the medal and the AVE MARIA on the next ten beads following the medal. On the chain following these ten beads, say the GLORIA PATRI.
Then, name the next blessing or decade and proceed exactly as above until all the mysteries have been said-that is say the OUR FATHER on the single bead, then the ten AVE MARIAs, then on the chain the GLORIA PATRI, then the next
blessing or decade.
First Decade
PSALM 19
The Heavens declare the glory
of the creator;
The firmament proclaims the
handiwork of love.
Day to day speech pours forth
and night to night knowledge
is revealed.
There is no speech,
nor are there words;
their voice is not heard;
Yet does their music go out
through all of the earth,
and their words to the end
of the world.
In them a tent for the sun is set,
which is like a bride and groom
on their wedding night
as they sing love's song and
celebrate the dance of life.
Its rising is in eternity,
and its circuit to infinity;
There is nothing hid from the sunlight.
Second Decade…
PSALM 19, Continued
The law of Love is perfect,
reviving the soul;
The testimony of Love is sure,
making wise the simple;
The precepts of Love are right,
rejoicing the heart;
The authority of Love is pure;
enlightening the eyes;
The spirit of Love is wondrous,
enduring forever;
The rites of Love are true,
awakening compassion.
More to be desired are they
than gold,
even much fine gold;
Sweeter also than honey and
drippings of the honeycomb.
Moreover by them are the loving
alerted;
in keeping them there is
great reward.
But who can discern their own
weaknesses?
Cleanse me, O Love, from
all my hidden faults.
Keep me from boldly acting in
error;
Let my fears not have dominion
over me!
Then shall I become a beneficial
presence,
freely and fully surrendered
to your Love.
Let the words of my mouth
and the meditation of my heart
find favor in your Heart
O my Beloved, my strength and
my joy!
Third Decade
PSALM 20
May the One who created you in
wholeness
meet your needs when you
call!
May the Name of Love be your
protection
and arise up in your heart as a
tower of strength!
May all you have given in gratitude
and with open hands
be returned to you a hundredfold!
May your heart's desires and all
your plans
be fulfilled in due season!
Let us shout for joy as Love
triumphs over fear:
Let our thankful hearts sing
in loud acclamation to the
Beloved,
who answers our heartfelt
prayers!
Now I know that Love comes to all
who open their hearts, and
dwells therein
offering gifts of peace and
harmony.
Some may boast of wealth and
personal power;
they will stumble and fall.
Let us boast of the One who
comes in the Name of Love;
We shall rise up strong and sure.
O Beloved, You who have created us,
hear our call,
make your home in our hearts!
Fourth Decade
PSALM 21
In your strength I rejoice,
O my Beloved,
and in your Presence
my heart finds rest!
You heed the heart's desire,
answering the cry of the soul,
and You restore blessing upon
blessing;
Your Love is as a crown of fine
gold upon my head.
I asked for life; and life
you did provide,
eternal life comes through
your Love.
All glory be yours, O Loving Presence,
splendor and majesty are
your raiment.
Yes, your blessings are forever;
You delight me with the joy
of your Presence.
Forever I will put my trust in You;
and as I abandon myself to You
in Love,
I am assured of peace.
You root out my fears; standing
firm beside me as I face
the shadows within.
Like a blazing sun your light shines.
My fears flees from your sight;
Your fire consumes them.
Generations to come will sing to
your glory
In gratitude and joy for your
saving power.
For you put fears to flight, that
love and justice might reign.
All praise be yours, O Wondrous One!
forever will I sing and honor
your saving grace.
Fifth Decade
PSALM 25
To You, O Love, I lift up my soul;
O Heart within my heart,
in You I place my trust.
Let me not feel unworthy;
let not fear rule over me.
Yes! let all who open their hearts
savor You and bless the earth!
Compel me to know your ways, O Love;
instruct me upon your paths.
Lead me in your truth,
and teach me,
for through You will I know
wholeness;
I shall reflect your light
both day and night.
I know of your mercy, compassionate One,
and of your steadfast love.
You have been with me
from the beginning.
Forgive the many times I have
walked away from You
choosing to walk alone.
With your steadfast love,
once again,
Companion me along your way.
You are gracious and just,
O Spirit of Truth,
happy to guide those who
miss their way;
You enjoy teaching all who are open,
all who choose to live in truth.
Your paths are loving and sure,
O Holy One,
for those who give witness to You
through their lives.
Sixth Decade
PSALM 25, continued
For the honor of your Name,
O Beloved,
forgive my separation from You.
I bow down before You;
instruct me, that I might choose
the way of love and truth.
I would live in your abundance,
and my children as well.
Your friendship is offered to all
whose hearts are open;
You will make known your promises
to them.
My eyes are ever on you, Beloved,
keep my feet from stumbling
along the way.
Seventh Decade
PSALM 25, Concluded…
Turn to me O Holy One, and envelope me
with your love, for
I am lonely and oppressed.
Relieve the blocks in my heart
that keep me separated from You;
See all the darkness within me;
fill it with your healing light.
Look at my pain and all my fears;
they shut out love and life.
Protect me and free me;
let me now live as unworthy,
for I would make with home in You.
May integrity and wholeness fill me
as I dwell with You,
O Loving Presence.
O Beloved, as you renew me,
redeem the nations,
That we on earth may unfold your Plan.
When the center medal is reached, this last prayer is said:
I give myself this day to the strong power of Love
To the obedience of Angels, the faith of confessors, the preaching of Apostles, to the purity of simple souls.
I give myself this day to the virtues of the starlit heavens, the brightness of the sun, the whiteness of the moon, the flashing of lightening, the restlessness of wind, the stability of earth, and the deepness of the sea.
I give unto myself this day the power of God to lead me, His eye to watch over me, His hand to guide me, His Word to give me speech.
Christ with me, Christ beside me,
Christ behind me, Christ within me,
Christ beneath me, Christ above me,
Christ to the right of me, Christ to the left of me,
Christ in lying down, Christ in sitting, Christ in rising up,
Christ in the heart of every person who may think of me,
Christ in the mouth of everyone who may speak of me,
Christ in the eye of everyone who may look on me,
Christ in the ear of everyone who may hear me.
I give myself this day to the strong power of Love. Amen
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