Sacred stillness

Some NRSV Biblical texts concerning Contemplation

And on the seventh day God finished the work …
and he rested.

Genesis 2.2

God formed man from the dust of the ground
and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life;
and the man became a living being.

Genesis 2.7

the Lord is about to pass by … but the Lord was not
in the wind … not in the earthquake … not in the fire … and after the fire; a sound of sheer silence.

1 Kings 19.11

When you are disturbed, do not sin;
ponder it on your beds, and be silent …
offer right sacrifices, and put your trust in the Lord.

Psalm 4.4

Be still before the Lord, and wait patiently on him
… refrain from anger … do not fret.

Psalm 37.7

Be still, and know that I am God.

Psalm 46:10

For God alone my soul waits in silence, from him comes my salvation … for God alone my soul waits in silence.

Psalm 62.1,5

Return, O my soul, to your rest,
for the Lord has dealt bountifully.

Psalm 116.7

I have calmed and quieted my soul like a weaned child.

Psalm 131.2

Come my people, enter your chambers, and shut your
doors behind you; hide yourselves for a little while until the wrath is past.

Isaiah 26.20

In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness
and in trust shall be your strength.

Isaiah 30.15

Those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength
They shall mount up with wings like eagles;
They shall walk and not faint;
Listen to me in silence; O coastlands
Let the people renew their strength.

Isaiah 40.31

The Lord is good to those who wait for him
To the soul that seeks him, it is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.
It is good for one to bear the yoke in youth:
to sit alone in silence.

Lamentations 3 25-28

The Lord is in his holy temple;
let all the earth keep silence before him.

Habakkuk 2.20

Be silent, all people, before the Lord;
for he has roused himself from his holy dwelling.

Zechariah 2.13

Whenever you pray, go into your room* and shut
the door and pray to your Father who is in secret;
and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

*from Gk ‘tamei’on’
(secret room or storage chamber)

Matthew 6.6

Come to me, all you who are weary
and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11.28

Come away to a deserted place all by yourselves
and rest awhile.

Mark 6.31

When the lamb opened the seventh seal
there was a silence in heaven for about half an hour.

Revelation 8.1