I Love The Lord: A Divine Dialogue with Consciousness and Imagination

Psalm 116 is a deeply moving expression of gratitude, love, and reflection, but when interpreted through the lens of Neville Goddard’s teachings, it becomes an even more profound map for understanding the process of manifestation. Reading the psalm from the perspective of David—whose name means “beloved”—transforms it into a narrative of the inner journey of manifestation, where the Lord represents consciousness and the imagination is the creative force through which we shape reality.

In Neville Goddard’s philosophy, the Bible is not a historical or external account but a guide to understanding the deep inner workings of our consciousness. Psalm 116, when read from the perspective of David (the beloved), reveals the steps of manifestation: the transition from longing to fulfilment, guided by the power of our inner imagination.

Let’s dive into the psalm and explore how it reflects the journey of manifestation—with David as the embodiment of the fulfilled desire and the imagination as the tool of creation.

Psalm 116: The Psalm in Its Entirety (BBE Translation)

Here is Psalm 116 in the BBE (Bible in Basic English) translation:

1. I have love for the Lord, because he has given ear to the voice of my prayer.

2. Because he has turned his ear to me, I will send up my prayer to him all my days.

3. The cords of death were round me, and the pains of hell came on me: I was in trouble and sorrow.

4. Then I made a prayer to the Lord, O Lord, take my soul out of trouble.

5. Gracious is the Lord, and upright; and our God is full of mercy.

6. The Lord keeps the simple: I was brought low, and he helped me.

7. Come back to your rest, O my soul; for the Lord has been good to you.

8. For you have taken my soul from death, my eyes from tears, and my feet from falling.

9. I will go before the Lord in the land of the living.

10. I had faith, for this reason I said, I am greatly troubled:

11. I said in my fear, Every man is false.

12. What will I give to the Lord for all his benefits to me?

13. I will take the cup of salvation, and give praise to the name of the Lord.

14. I will make my offerings to the Lord in the presence of all his people.

15. The death of his saints is dear in the eyes of the Lord.

16. O Lord, truly I am your servant; I am your servant, and the son of your handmaid: you have let loose my chains.

17. I will make an offering of praise to you, and give praise to the name of the Lord.

18. I will make my offerings to the Lord in the presence of all his people,

19. In the house of the Lord, in the middle of Jerusalem. Praise be to the Lord.

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Understanding the Psalm Through Neville Goddard’s Teachings

When we interpret Psalm 116 through the teachings of Neville Goddard, it takes on a whole new meaning. David, as the beloved, symbolises the desired manifestation, and the Lord is our imagination and consciousness. The psalm is not an external plea to a higher power but an internal dialogue, reflecting the steps in manifesting our desires.

1. David as the Manifestation of Desire

David, whose name means beloved, embodies the desired manifestation—the fulfilment of inner desires made real. When David speaks, he represents the assumed state of being that has already been realised.

"I have love for the Lord, because he has given ear to the voice of my prayer."

Here, David (the manifestation) acknowledges that the Lord (the imagination) has heard and responded to his desires. In Neville Goddard’s philosophy, this is the moment when we align our desires with our imagination and bring them into our consciousness, causing them to manifest.

2. Seeking Assistance: Turning Inward

David’s cry for help reflects the call to consciousness (imagination) when we feel stuck in undesirable circumstances.

"Then I made a prayer to the Lord, O Lord, take my soul out of trouble."

David, in his moment of challenge, calls upon the Lord (imagination), asking for deliverance. This represents our ability to shift our inner state and consciously direct our thoughts and beliefs to bring about transformation in our outer world.

3. The Fulfilled Manifestation: The Beloved is Set Free

David’s deliverance symbolises the manifestation becoming a reality. The manifested desire (David) experiences the fruits of imagination.

"For you have taken my soul from death, my eyes from tears, and my feet from falling."

Here, David (the beloved) is fully experiencing the transformation, as his soul is saved and his life is changed. This moment reflects the realisation of the desired state: manifestation is now fully realised through the power of imagination.

4. Faith in the Unseen: The Power of Belief

David’s faith speaks to the essential role of belief in Neville Goddard’s teachings, where belief precedes manifestation.

"I had faith, for this reason I said, I am greatly troubled."

Even in the midst of external turmoil, David (the manifestation) has faith that the inner work (imagination and assumption) will lead to the desired outcome. Neville often taught that faith in the unseen is the cornerstone of manifestation.

5. Gratitude and Acknowledgment: Paying Our Vows

David acknowledges that his transformation has come through the power of imagination.

"What will I give to the Lord for all his benefits to me?"

This verse reflects gratitude for the imagination's role in bringing the desire into the material world. Neville Goddard emphasised that gratitude is a powerful tool in reinforcing the belief in our ability to create.

6. David’s Vows and Offerings: Acknowledging the Inner Power

Finally, David’s vow to offer praise and thanksgiving speaks to the idea of acknowledging the inner power (imagination) that has transformed his life.

"I will make my offerings to the Lord in the presence of all his people."

David now understands that the Lord (the reader's imagination) is the source of all that has been manifested. This represents our ongoing relationship with our own inner creative power and the importance of expressing gratitude.

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Conclusion: David as the Symbol of Manifestation

By reading Psalm 116 as the voice of David (the beloved), we uncover the deeper process of manifestation through the power of consciousness and imagination. David represents the desired manifestation, and his journey through the psalm parallels the steps we take when manifesting desires: from prayer and belief to realisation and gratitude.

This psalm, when viewed through Neville Goddard’s teachings, reminds us that we are the creators of our reality. The Lord (our imagination) listens to the voice of our desires, responds to our inner assumptions, and brings forth the manifestations we align with. By embodying the principles in Psalm 116, we can navigate our own process of manifestation, understanding that the beloved (the desired outcome) is within us and can be realised through the power of consciousness and imagination.